Oopalee Operajita

🪔 About

Oopalee Operajita is a distinguished Indian classical dancer and choreographer, renowned for her mastery in both Odissi and Bharatanatyam. Born in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, into a scholarly family, she began her intensive dance training at a young age. For Odissi, she was a leading disciple of Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, studying with him for twelve consecutive years. She also trained under Guru Deba Prasad Das for five years and Guru Pankaj Charan Das for two years. In Bharatanatyam, she commenced her training at age six in the rigorous Pandanallur style under Guru S. Meenakshi at Rishi Valley School for nine continuous years, and later took master lessons from B. Ram Gopal in London in the early 1980s. [2, 3, 5] Operajita has performed worldwide and is critically acclaimed, with P.V. Subramaniam (Subbudu) of The Statesman calling her "the best Odissi interpreter" [2, 4]. The New York Times has recognized her as one of Mohapatra's "star pupils" [3, 4]. She notably performed the female lead opposite Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in the dance drama "Konarka" upon his return to the stage after a two-decade hiatus. She holds the distinction of being the first classical Indian artist to perform at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh. [2, 3, 5] Her innovative Odissi choreographies have been set to music by Pandit Chhannulal Mishra since 1979. [2, 4] Beyond her dance career, Operajita is a polymath and holds significant advisory roles. She has been a Distinguished Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University since 1990 and serves as a senior advisor to world leaders and leaders in the Parliament of India on public policy, communication, and international relations. [2, 8] She is also the Chair and Founder of the Al Gore Sustainable Technology Venture Competition, established in 2007, which promotes sustainable technologies through entrepreneurship. [2, 3, 9] Awards & Honours: Top Ranked Artist of the Younger Generation (1982), Top Ranked Odissi Dancer of the Younger Generation (1982), Singar Mani (1982), Canada Council Arts Award, Senior Performing Arts Fellowship, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Fellowship, National Science Talent Scholar, National Scholar, Chancellor's Prize Winner for Debating, Nominated for a Harry Schwalb Award for Excellence in the Arts, Nominated for an Outstanding Established Artist Award.