Hyderabad’s First Odissi workshop with Guru Madhulita Mohapatra
Hyderabad: Great news for art lovers and dance fans! Dharohar Dance Academy, with Samakalpa, is hosting a special four-day Odissi workshop. It runs from September 11th to 14th. The event will feature the famous Odissi dancer, Guru Madhulita Mohapatra.
This workshop marks the city’s first immersive session with the celebrated guru Mohapatra. It’s a rare chance for the local dance community to connect with one of India’s most graceful classical dance forms.
More than just a dance class, the workshop is envisioned as a cultural immersion. It is carefully crafted to show both young people and seasoned fans the deep beauty of Odissi. This includes its detailed movements, soulful music, complex rhythms (tala), and expressive storytelling (abhinaya). The initiative aims to create strong links between learners and India’s classical heritage. It ensures these timeless traditions stay vibrant and relevant, said the organizers.
About the Luminary: Guru Madhulita Mohapatra
A celebrated cultural ambassador and the visionary founder of the prestigious Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts in Bengaluru. She has dedicated her life to preserving and elevating Odissi. A disciple of eminent Gurus including Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Gangadhar Pradhan, Pabitra Kumar Pradhan, and Aruna Mohanty, she is admired for her profound artistry, technical mastery, and her soulful, innate abhinaya quality.
Her performances have graced iconic stages from the Konark Festival in Odisha to the Johor Bahru Arts Festival in Malaysia, demonstrating her unique ability to connect diverse audiences with India’s classical heritage. Her choreographic work reflects both a deep reverence for tradition and a contemporary sensibility.
An A-grade artiste of National Doordarshan (DD National) and an empanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Her illustrious contributions have been recognized with a plethora of prestigious honors, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi (2018), Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Award, IIW She Inspires Award at the UK Parliament (2024), India International Dance Festival (IIDF) 2017 recognition, BCKA Yuva Kala Pratibha, Aarya Award for Women Achievers, and Arathi Kala Ratna (USA).
This culturally enriching initiative is the fruit of a joint effort by Nilanjana Choudhuri (Founder, Dharohar Dance Academy) and Sonali Mohanty & Arpita Pany (Team Samakalpa). Their collaborative vision is to create platforms that not only teach art but also nurture a profound, rooted appreciation for India’s cultural tapestry. As Guru Madhulita aptly says, “I’m really looking forward to being there, and if anyone wishes to join, you are most welcome.”
The event comes at the kind invitation of Sonali Mohanty, a beautiful Odissi dancer and co-founder of Samakalpa. Guru Madhulita herself speaks of Sonali as “exceptionally talented but also deeply passionate & focused,” highlighting her remarkable journey as a techie who left everything behind to pursue Odissi full-time. “Sonali, along with Arpita Pany, founded Samakalpa with the mission to nurture and promote Odissi dance in Hyderabad,” said Madhulita Mohapatra on her social media, making this workshop a heartfelt initiative born from a student’s dedication to her Guru and her art.
A Special Interaction
Adding to the uniqueness of the event, a special interaction session with Guru Madhulita Mohapatra will be held on the final day, Sunday, 14th September, at 11:00 am at Dharohar Dance Academy. This session lets attendees explore her inspiring journey of passion and perseverance. They’ll also learn about her artistic vision and the details of Odissi.
