Myder Raut died in Delhi at the age of 92. Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

While appreciating an art, we often forget to accept the contribution of those who worked hard to draw the world’s attention by giving it a form and structure. Odissi has now given its existence to the Gotipua tradition that is considered a predecessor for the classical dance form. Most of the famous gurus of Odissi were sometimes Gotipua artists. And Guru Mayadhar Raut, who recently died in Delhi at the age of 92, was no exception. In fact, he was the first to introduce Gotipua on stage in the 1940s.

Myadar, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Debprasad Das and Pankaj Charan Das are referred to as the architects of the modern Odissi. He redefined and coded the dance for the Prosonium. Jayantiika, which was made with the association they made with famous dance researchers, intellectuals and art lovers, can be called a revolutionary step. During its meetings, dance form techniques, list of performances, dress and music were discussed in detail. Litterateur and Theater personality Kalicharan Patnaik named it Odyssi. In 1966, as a result of all his efforts, the dance form was recognized as a classical style by the musical naktak academy.

The Kamani Auditorium in Delhi was inaugurated in 1971 with the performance of Mayhar Raut. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In the late 1960s, Mayadra Raut moved to Delhi, which to teach Odissi in a dance school, a dance school, which Sri Ram had taught for 25 years before joining the Indian Arts Center. Although many people did not know about the dance form, they trained many students. Thus, he managed to popularize Odissi outside his home state.

Delhi’s famous Kamani Auditorium was inaugurated in 1971 with his performance. With his expertise on ancient texts Dramaturgy, Acting And Actress Chandrika, Mayadra Raut attracted a lot to her to increase the appeal of dance form, They are credited with introducing them Sanchari Bhava In odissi and choreography Geeta Govinda Ashtapadis for performance, highlighting the serringara juice in them.

Ranjana Gauhar, one of the leading disciples of Mayadhar Raut. Photo Credit: Ini Singh

Ranjana Gauhar, one of the leading disciples of an Odissi ambush and Mayharhar Raut, remembered him as a affectionate person who always welcomed his spies with a smile. “Guruji’s image with a child’s smile will be etched in my memory.”

Ranjana, who started learning from Mayadhar Raut in 1977, trained for about 13 years under her. “He was so scholar and creative that you could not stay with only learning – you saw and imbibed. He was very comfortable and versatile. The years spent in Kalakshatra lent a new dimension for their approach. They were also trained in Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. He emphasized perfection, he should be a pure dance (he introduced the currency appropriation) or he analyzed his expression. The depth brought in the exposure was unimaginable. He often used to say that ‘the actual is the ocean and the Sanchri is a wave, which eventually settles in it.’ For example, while explaining the emotions in Ashtapadi ‘Nindati Chandana’, he remembered the line of ‘Jala Bin Machali’ (fish out of water) and used it as a brutal to portray Radha’s desolate kingdom.

Mayadr with VP and Shanta Dhananjayan and her daughter Madhumita

Natacharya VP Dhananjayan, paying tribute to his Mayadra AnnaSays, “I knew him from the day when he joined Kalakshetra in 1955. While teaching at the Art Development Center in Katwak as the first teacher of Odissi, he received scholarship to carry forward Bharatanatyam and Kathakali in Kalakshtra. Anna Used to share his expertise with us in Odissi, while we taught him the basic principles of Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. He was part of the Kalakshetra Productions such as the Ramayana series. Kalakshetra training enables them to choreographed choreograph dance-drama Tapaswini, Cloud, Brij Leela, Sinhala Kumari, Krishna CharitamAnd Geeta Govindam,

Myadar Raut had a complete approach to dance. Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

According to Kiran Seth, the founder of SPIC Mac (Society to promote Indian classical music and culture among the youth); “One aspect that I would never forget about Guru Mayadhar Raut was his simplicity and honesty that he brought to his craft. His sessions for Spic Macay were informative. In real sense, a guru, he was always eager to share. The Odissi we see today thank you for the gurus like them. The world of dance will be indebted to him. ,