Deba Prasad Das

🪔 About

Born in 1932 in Keul Chabi Sua, a village near Cuttack, Odisha, Deba Prasad Das was a pivotal figure in the revival and popularization of Odissi dance. He is recognized as one of the four first-generation gurus of the art form and a founder of the distinct Deba Prasad Gharana. His early training began at the age of six in Puri, learning music and dance at a traditional school (Pathara Akhara) run by Mohan Chandra Mohapatra. At 14, he moved to Behrampur and later to the music school of Radha Raman Ray at New Theatres, where he started as an assistant and gradually took on various roles, gaining exposure to the performing arts. After New Theatres closed, he joined Annapurna 'B' theatre in Cuttack, where he honed his skills alongside other renowned Odissi exponents like Pankaj Charan Das and Kelucharan Mohapatra. By 1953, he had mastered Odissi. In 1964, Das joined Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar as a faculty member for Odissi, where he taught until his passing. His association with Bharatanatyam dancer Indrani Rahman was crucial in bringing Odissi to national and international prominence. In 1957, Rahman presented an Odissi demonstration choreographed by Das, which significantly contributed to Odissi being recognized as a classical dance form. He toured globally with Rahman, performing for dignitaries and artists, and was instrumental in taking Odissi outside of Odisha. Guru Deba Prasad Das's style is characterized by its robustness, unique "stylized abhinaya," and a "naturalistic approach," with "Sabda Swara Pata" being a significant feature. He also introduced the concept of "Tridhara," emphasizing Odissi's roots in folk, tribal, and classical traditions. He authored the manuscript "Nrutyanusarani" on the practical aspects of Odissi and conducted research on "Jagannath Sebare Nacha and the Akhada Sampradaya". He passed away in 1986 at the age of 54. His legacy is continued by numerous disciples and institutions like Tridhara and Debadhara, which uphold his distinctive style. Awards & Honours: Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1974), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), Senior Research Fellowship from the Government of India (1982), World Development Corporation award (1983), Honorary Doctorate in Science (1983), Bharata Nrutya Unnayana Ratna (1983), National Professor of Dance by the Biswa Unnayana Samsada of West Bengal (1983).