In its effort to preserve and promote the legacy of late distinguished Odishi guru Debaprasad Das, the city-based Guru Debaprasad Das Foundation hosted a week-long workshop here recently.
Eminent Puducherry-based Odishi dancer Sangeeta Dash, who was also an acclaimed actress in Odia film industry and known as the most celebrated dancer of Guru Debaprasad Das gharana, conducted the workshop. “Guru Debaprasad was highly scholarly and his intense research into the performing arts traditions of Odisha had enriched his style that has made it distinct today. Although he died young three decades ago, his style of Odishi has spread across the world for its unique elements. My workshop was an attempt to discuss and teach the uniqueness of his style,” stated Sangeeta.
“Since we formed the foundation three years ago to preserve and promote my father’s legacy, we have been hosting Debangana Nrutya Samagama, an annual dance festival, in Bhubaneswar during his birth anniversary. Similarly, we have launched Paruipurna-The Nayika, another dance festival to commemorate his death anniversary. We hosted a major seminar on the Guru Debaprasad Das Odishi tradition in Bhubaneswar during 2016 involving all exponents of Odishi dance and music who were working with my father,” explained Bipanchi Das, disciple and eldest daughter of the late guru. “We named this workshop, the first of its kind by our foundation, as Anusarana-Treasuring Guruji’s steps forever as the objective of it was to safeguard the tradition and take it forward with utmost honesty and authenticity. Since Sangeeta Dash was a direct disciple of my father and an internationally known Odishi exponent besides being the Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, we decided to start our workshop series with her. We will be inviting more exponents of the style later on,” Bipanchi added.
“Since he passed away early, there has been little effort by the Government to recognise his pioneering contribution to the revival of Odishi as an Indian classical dance form. He was the first Odishi guru to present and popularise Odishi dance abroad through his disciple late Indrani Rehman. I demand that he be conferred a Padma award posthumously as a befitting recognition of his contribution,” stated foundation chairperson Jitarani Das, wife of the late guru.