Parwati Dutta

🪔 About

Parwati Dutta is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, guru, choreographer, researcher, writer, and arts administrator, renowned for her expertise in both Odissi and Kathak dance forms. Her dance journey began at the age of three in Bhopal. She received rigorous training in Kathak under the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj and in Odissi under Guru Madhavi Mudgal and Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Dutta is recognized as a "thinker-dancer" whose performances are celebrated for their technical virtuosity, expressive 'bhaava', and rhythmic command. She has extensively toured and conducted workshops in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and South America. Her work as an artist was notably featured in a BBC documentary in 1999, as well as documentaries by Channel Four (UK) and Doordarshan. In 1996, Parwati Dutta founded Mahagami Gurukul (also known as Mahatma Gandhi Mission Sangeet Academy) in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, with the vision of preserving, promoting, and disseminating Indian traditional arts. Under her leadership, Mahagami has become a significant center for training, research, and social outreach, credited with introducing and nurturing Kathak and Odissi in the Marathwada region. She also nurtures Vidyaranyam, a Gurukul-based school in rural areas. Dutta has authored the book 'Nritya-Gatha' on Indian Classical Dance, published in five languages, and 'Bagh Talav: Tiger Ecology Narratives'. She is also the Dean of Performing Arts at MGM University, Aurangabad. Awards & Honours: Nritya Bhushan, UNESCO Cultural Award, Bharat Kala Ratna, Savitribai Phule Samman, Devadasi National Award, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad Award, Wonder Woman Award, PADMASHRI SATHYANARAYAN COMMEMORATIVE MUSICOLOGY AWARD (2025).