A Life Devoted to Dance.
At the tender age of five, a young curious girl, encouraged by her parents, stepped onto a dance floor for the first time. It was love at first footstep. That little pitter-patter opened a world of joy and ecstasy she had never imagined. She never left that floor.
I was born in the city of Kolkata in the 1950s into a middle-class family. It was not a family of noted artists, but there was love for some form of art evident among the members.
My parents took great pains to teach me dance, music and swimming. That was the golden era of Rabindranritya. I learnt this dance form and performed in several dance dramas and literary pieces. Besides this, I also danced to Maymansingha Gitika and the music of Uttarbanga Gitika — both folk traditions.
I had an inherent passion for dance and was more free and expressive while performing on stage than during normal walking and talking. I trained for 12 years in Classical Manipuri and Kathakali. However, at that time, Rabindranritya was more popular.
Then came the turning point of my life. I witnessed the stunning performance of Sanjukta Panigrahi on stage. This took my breath away.
A new era began in my life from 1981 under the tutelage of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. This continued for 21 long years until Guruji's death in 2004.
I spent months practising the intricacies of Odissi dance as a resident pupil in Guruji's house. I was introduced to Guruji's philosophy and the regional culture of Odisha.
It was my passion to become established, both nationally and internationally, and I got an opportunity to learn and perform with renowned performers.
GURU SUTAPA TALUKDAR
Artistry Beyond Boundaries.
Sutapa is an expert dancer as well as a skilled swimmer. She began learning water ballet at the age of six and later directed several productions, most notably Shyama.
Her water ballet productions were presented by the Indian Life Saving Society.
Nature's Gift and Gangabataran
Nil Sagarer Rupkatha
Diper Maya
Tasher Desh
Shyama
Preserving the Art.
Inspiring Generations.
Throughout her artistic journey, Guru Sutapa Talukdar has performed across India and internationally. In 1987, her devotion to Odissi led her to establish Gurukul, an academy dedicated to the art form.
A second unit opened in 2015. Within the institution, she established the Creative Wing to nurture experimental artistic work by Sutapa and Gurukul.
Today, she remains devoted to preserving and sharing Odissi, passing on the knowledge received from her Gurus to younger generations through regular training at Gurukul.
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