Dhaneswar Swain

🪔 About

Dhaneswar Swain, born on May 18, 1953, in Nahantara village, Puri district, Odisha, India, is a distinguished exponent and Guru of the Odissi Mardala, the traditional percussion instrument integral to Odissi music and dance. His musical journey commenced at the age of 10, learning Mardal from his elder brother, Bhramarabar Swain, within the traditional Bhagabata Tungi of Odissi Sangeet. He pursued formal education in music, enrolling in Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar in 1970 and completing his Post Graduation in 1976. During his studies, he received rigorous training from esteemed masters such as Singhari Shyamsundar Kar, Banamali Maharana, and Mahadev Rout. Swain's professional career included a period working with the renowned Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh. In 1979, he joined his alma mater, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, as a Mardala teacher, a role he dedicated over three decades to. He is widely acclaimed for his pioneering efforts in establishing the Mardala as a solo instrument, performing extensively at prestigious national festivals including the Raja Rani Music Festival, Konark Natya Mandap, and Sankat Mochan Festival. His artistry has garnered international recognition, leading him to accompany leading Odissi dancers and perform in numerous countries across the United States, Europe (Germany, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland), Asia (China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Jordan, Israel), and Dubai. As a prolific composer, Guru Swain has created rhythmic compositions for various choreographic works and Odissi pallavis. He has also released CDs of his compositions, such as 'Vadya Vani' and 'Moods of Rhythm', and contributed research articles on the Mardala. Following his retirement from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, he continues to teach and mentor students at the Ramhari Das Odissi Gurukula near Puri and through his own institution, Vadya Vani Gurukula in Bhubaneswar, which is dedicated to training and research in Odissi Mardala and other traditional Odia percussion instruments. His unwavering mission is to propagate and promote Odia sangeet and culture globally. Awards & Honours: Debaprasad Kalatirtha (1997), Badyashree (Utkal Sahitya Kala Parishad) (1999), Mardala Academy, Bhubaneswar (2003), Badya Vinod Kshetramohan Kar Samman (2003), Sangita Sudhakara Balakrushna Dash Foundation (2006), Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (2006), Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008), Singhari Satabarsiki Samman (2008), Shreekhetra Madeli Sri Samman (2008), Vedvyas Sangeet Nrutyostav (2009), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2013), Sangita Sudhakara Balakrushna Dash Foundation (2018), Madeli Samman, Gandharva Kala Samman, Rudrakshya Saptabarnna.