Vision and Mission

In 1987, I had no plans as such. It was just when I was preparing myself to become a full-fledged solo dancer, I began to teach students. I inherited a house and informed Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. Hearing the news, Guruji immediately said “Start a school. The more you teach others and perform, the more you will be clear about your dance. Your foresight will be more sharpened.” Needless to say, I was not very pleased to hear this. It seemed like a burden to me. Today I have come to realize what a wonderful weapon he had handed me. Day-in and day-out every aspect of a male and female body movements opened before my sight. This resulted in a profound sense of choreography, expertise in observative power, drama (both facial and body language) – all are ingrained in my mind and have become a storehouse of gems. Is this all? Learning the intricacies of financial dealings and management, after numerous pitfalls, have come my way. Naming the institution “Gurukul” in 1987 Guruji performed a yajna and handed over the responsibility of the same to me. That day I promised myself never to deviate from the pure Odissi style Guruji had taught me. I will never try to improvise his style and thereby dilute the original form. That is the reason I have made videos of Guruji’s original choreographies to which I have taken initiative and given appropriate music accompaniment, in which Guruji himself has played the “pakhwaj” and supervised all the recording sessions, all of which I have treasured so far. This I have done so that while training the students year after year. My decision not to allow any impurity to intervene Guruji’s impeccable style – I keep in mind whenever I teach students. I can feel his smiling grace shower on me.

In Gurukul the students are trained in gym and yoga to make their body and posture healthy and strong. They are taught the intricacies of both dance and drama, the 60/65 different items choreographed by Guruji, as well as a few items choreographed by me. These latter items follow Guruji’s path, although having their own individuality as well.

Due to a dearth of time in today’s scenario students get an opportunity to make a video of everyday lessons and practice at home. They, thus get an opportunity to practice with high quality professional music from day one. Gurukul is after my heart’s desire. Once a student of this institution, they are strictly made to follow the time schedule, and not take their classes lightly. However, after practicing during their scheduled class and time, those eager for more practice, can attend other classes at other times as well. We have relieved the students of the burden of examinations. However, we have honed into them the sense to become a worthwhile dancer. For this they have to undergo hard and severe training. That the “audience” and the “stage” is the ultimate goal of a dancer, and just learning and giving exams is not important – this I keep repeating to them regularly.