A dancer, a percussionist, an archivist, a choreographer Guru Ratikant Mohapatra is one of the great dancers who have broken the age old stereotype that men cannot take up dance as their profession. “Yes. Earlier female dancers were more preffered. But things have greatly changed. Now Viewers care more about the performer’s capability rather than their gender. A massive development in the minds of people. Men have become well competent”, he stressed.
Known as the father of Odissi, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra has more than 50 original work as a choreographer. His quality music has always received utmost attention and enthusiastic response world wide. He struggled and endeavored to get this far and not nepotism that worked out. When asked about the special treatment he would reply “ Never. My father never provided me any special treatment. It is a plus point that I was his disciple but he would treat me equally among his students. He has always been my backbone.”
How did you as a dancer evolve?
When I was a child back then, I used to get involved in dances and music. Gradually, I started getting more interested into it. Initially I was not trained under anyone and I was involved in dancing activities. My father observed this and he understood that I was interested in dancing. He put this into discussion with my mother and then I was given training. I had a lot of experiences under my father or my teacher. I’ll just say that it was all my passion that drived me this far.
Since you are the son of a legendary Odissi dancer(Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra), have you ever felt any special treatment by him when you were tutored under him?
Never. He never gave me any special attention. Back then, I was very annoyed and I kept on asking my mother that why is he not giving me importance but today after analyzing everything Iam grateful that I was treated equally among his other students. Not nepotism rather talent works here. This is the greatest reason of my success today. The same thing Iam doing with Preetisha(daughter). I want her to stand on her own knees.
There is always a stereotypical thinking for men to take up dance as their profession. What do you have to say? Are female dancers more preferred?
Yes. They were more preferred earlier. There was always an indifferent attitude towards the male dancers. But today things have been changed. People’s mindset have changed. Now they are looking into the performer’s capabilities rather than their gender. This is a very plus point marked. Now male performers have been well competent.
What do you have to comment about the contemporary dance forms? Is it something that is ruining the very essence of traditional dance forms?
See, if contemporary dance forms can be put aesthetically into the classical dance forms, I do not think it is something bad. I myself adore bollywood dances or any other contemporary dance forms. When I see any good dance movements which can be brought under my classical medium, I appreciate it. Many a times, my students want to contribute a lot of dance movements. I do not disown it. I try to analyze if there can be a productive fusion or not. According to me, if fusion does create any confusion in the minds of the people, it shouldn’t be welcomed or else if the fusion is done creatively and the audiences are able to get connected with it, it is highly appreciable. Fusion can sometimes ruin the traditional dance form or can enhance it.
You organise a lot of music festivals. How do you manage the fundings?
Funding is a bit difficult thing. Earlier things were a bit easier. There were not much festivals taking place. But today, there are many music festivals organized and many renowned classical dancers are called. We do visit NALCO, JINDAL for getting sponsorship but again it is a very difficult thing to go about. But still things are managed and this is because Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra has earned sufficient during his lifetime.
What do You feel about classical dance as a profession? How do you distinguish it from other profession?
Dance is not everybody’s cup of tea. Especially performing a classical dance is a very tough job. Other professions in corporate houses, etc. have a lot of work to do and yes they do struggle a lot but still somewhere I feel their life is much more luxurious than us. Iam not comparing but in my opinion classical dancers get involved into much stressful work. A lot of physical movements and facial expressions are involved. But whatever it is I believe that swimming on the surface of the water is not going to help. Whichever profession one might belong to but he or she should swim down the water to find the pearl. I meant that one should explore his or her profession deeply and also to swim down the water one has to be patient in controlling his breathes till the pearl is achieved. My whole point is that nothing is achieved without toiling for it.
Do you think Odissi as a dance form has reached abroad? Is it flourishing outside?
Yes indeed it is. It is a very optimistic thinking about it. A lot of performers perform in the international forum which has created a healthy recognition of Odissi as a dance form. Our dance form has earned a lot of respect outside.
You do conduct a lot of Summer Workshops for the students.What do you teach them? What scope do you find for these students?
Basically, Summer Workshops are for the advanced dancers. We teach them Choreographies; how it is done; what is the process of doing it, etc. There are a lot of lecture demonstrations by various artists and they tell them about their experiences . We teach them that dance is a mixture of both music and acting. Workshops are very lively and helpful of course.
(Summer Workshops( srjan.com))
( Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra ( indianetzone.com))