Mayadhar Raut

Mayadhar Raut
Born	July 6, 1930 (1930-07-06) (age 81) Orissa
Occupation	classical dancer, dance instructor
Years active	1955- present
Current group	Jayantika
Dances	Odissi

Guru Mayadhar Raut (born July 06, 1930) is an Indian classical Odissi dancer and Guru.

Early life and education

Mayadhar Raut was born in the village Kantapenhara in Cuttack district, subsequently he received his dance training under the Guru-shishya tradition of Odissi by Rukmini Devi Arundale at Kalakshetra. He is married to Mamta Khuntia, and they have one daughter and two sons; daughter Madhumita Raut is also a noted Odissi dancer.

Career

Mayadhar Raut has played a major role in giving Odissi its classical 'shastra' based status. He introduced Mudra Vinyoga in 1955. His notable compositions include ‘Pashyati Dishi Dishi’ and ‘Priya Charu Shile’, composed in 1961.

Mayadhar Raut is considered a master of Natyashastra and Abhinaya Darpana, and has enriched the Abhinaya vocabulary of Odissi. He founded Kala Vikas Kendra in Orissa, and trained dancers Surendranath Jena, Hare Krishna Behera and Ramani Ranjan Jena. Raut taught at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra from 1970 until 1995.

As the founder member of Jayantika ^[1], an association formed in the 1950s, Guruji Mayadhar Raut has played a major role in giving Odissi its classical status. He is the first Odissi Guru to introduce MUDRA VINYOGA in the study of Odissi in 1955 and SANCHARIBHAVA in the Odissi dance items and also the first to present on stage enchanting Gitagovinda ASHTAPADIS, portraying SHRINGARA RASA. His notable compositions include ‘Pashyati Dishi Dishi’. ‘Priya Charu Shile’, composed in 1961. Earlier, only the Oriya songs or the ASHTAPADI ‘Lalit Lavanga Lata’ and ‘Dashavatar’ were taught and performed.^[2].

Guru Mayadhar Raut has been honoured with - Padma Shri by the President of India, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, Utkal Pratibha Puraskar, Odissi Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Rajeev Gandhi Samman and Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Award.

In 2010, his 80th birthday was marked by a five-day international festival of music and dance titled “Yaatra” in Delhi. On this occasion, a book titled, Odissi Yaatra - Journey of Guru Mayadhar Raut, written by Aadya Kaktikar and edited by Madhumita Raut, was also released.^[3]

Guru Mayadhar Raut

Awards

Raut has received the following awards:

• Padma Shri Award (2010) ^[4]
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985) ^[5]
• Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1984)
• Utkal Pratibha Puraskar (1984)
• Odissi Sangeet Natak Academy (1977)
• Rajeev Gandhi Samman (2003)
• Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman (2005)
• Biju Patnaik Samman (1993)

Guruji with Students at Jayantika

References

1. ^ [1] Jayantika
2. ^ Odissi Yaatra : The Journey of Guru Mayadhar Raut, by Aadya Kaktikar (ed. Madhumita Raut) Publisher: B.R. Rhythms, Delhi,2010. ISBN 978-8-18-882721-3
3. ^ "A perfect birthday gift for Guruji". The Hindu. Jul 23, 2010. http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/23/stories/2010072358770200.htm. 
4. ^ "Padma Awards Directory (2010)". Ministry of Home Affairs. http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/PadmaAwd2010.pdf. 
5. ^ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm. 

• Raut, (Guru) Mayadhar; Leela Venkataraman (Februray 2006). "Guru Mayadhar Raut". Sruti (257). http://www.sruti.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_6&products_id=228. 
• Odissi Yaatra : The Journey of Guru Mayadhar Raut, by Aadya Kaktikar (ed. Madhumita Raut) Publisher: B.R. Rhythms, Delhi,2010. ISBN 978-8-18-882721-3.
• [2] Madhumita Raut
• [3] Reviving Odissi with a focus on the classical The Hindu December 28, 2010
• [4] Delectable depiction of Navararas by N K MUDGAL
• [5] 4th Guru Shishya Parampara Dance Festival Delhi
• [6] Celebrating Guru Mayadhar Raut's 80th birthday July 23 - 25, 2010 New Delhi
• [7] Guru Mayadhar Raut - Ashish Mohan Khokar, Bangalore, India. The Mohan Khokar Dance Collection July 30, 2010
• [8] Arts & Entertainment Outlook Magazine April09,2001
• Odissi: What, Why and How : Evolution, Revival & Technique by Madhumita Raut,Published B.R.Rhythms,Delhi,2007. ISBN 81-88827-10-X.

External links

• [9] Jayantika
• [10] Guru Mayadhar Raut, by Ashish Mohan Khokar, Narthaki.com, July 30, 2010