Kasturi Pattanaik

🪔 About

Kasturi Pattanaik, born Kasturi Badu on August 3, 1965, in Cuttack, India, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, recognized as a pioneering exponent of Odissi dance. She commenced her training in both Odissi and Kathak dance during her childhood. After completing her graduation from Shailabala Women's College, Cuttack, she joined the Odissi Research Centre (ORC) in Bhubaneswar as part of its inaugural batch for an advanced intensive course in Odissi. Pattanaik had the privilege of learning from several eminent Odissi gurus, including Late Raghunath Dutta, Late Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty, Padma Shri Gangadhar Pradhan, Ramani Ranjan Jena, and Dayanidhi Das. She furthered her academic pursuits with Master's degrees in Performing Arts (Odissi dance) from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, and Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Maha Vidhyalaya Mandal, Mumbai, and holds diplomas in Odissi and Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. Active since 1975, her career has been marked by excellence as a soloist and group performer. She is acclaimed for her original compositions and choreographies, which have introduced new concepts, techniques, and themes into the Odissi repertoire. Pattanaik is considered a pioneer in Odissi dance drama, adeptly blending the classical and folk traditions of Odisha with pan-Indian mythological narratives. In addition to her performance and choreographic work, she is an accomplished music composer, integrating authentic Odissi music into her dance creations. Following her role as a choreographer at the Odissi Research Centre, she relocated to New Delhi and assumed the position of Programme Director (Culture) and Creative Head at SANKALP, a national nodal cultural organization. In this capacity, she expanded her activities to encompass education, research, and policy strategies, alongside the promotion of Indian art and culture. Her contributions extend to syllabus preparation for B.A. and B.A. (Hons.) courses in Odissi Dance at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (IKSVV), Khairagarh, and she has served as a jury member for prestigious arts awards such as the 'Kalidas Samman' and 'Tulsi Samman'. Pattanaik has trained over 400 students globally, many of whom have established themselves as acclaimed performers or gurus. She also offers online and in-person Odissi classes in Bhubaneswar and New Delhi. Awards & Honours: Rajendra Prasad Puraskar (1997), Abhinandanika – 1999 (1999), Scholarship from the state (1987), Scholarship from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (2000), Debadasi Samman (2003), Honoured by Kuchipudi Natyakala Mandali (1999), Mahari Award (2015).