Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi

🪔 About

Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, born on November 18, 1939, is a distinguished Indian classical Odissi dancer, a respected scientist, academician, and art writer. She commenced her training in Odissi at an early age under Ban Bihari Maiti and subsequently under Singhari Shyama Sundar Kar at the Utkal Sangeet Samaj in Cuttack. She also received guidance from Kavichandra Kalicharan Patnaik to refine her dance for significant performances. Her performance at the First Inter-University Youth Festival in New Delhi in 1954 is considered a pivotal moment in the history of Odissi, as it brought national and international attention to the dance form, notably through the glowing review by the renowned Hungarian art critic Charles Fabri. Beyond her significant contributions to dance, Hejmadi pursued a prominent academic and scientific career. She earned a master's degree and a doctoral degree in Zoology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, specializing in Developmental Biology and Herpetology. Her scientific work, particularly her research on marine turtles, has garnered global recognition. She served as a former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University. As an art writer, Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi has authored numerous articles and books on Odissi, including "Odissi: An Indian Classical Dance Form" (co-authored with Ahalya Hejmadi Patnaik) and "Gotipuas-the Boy Dancers of Odisha." Her writings delve into the history and evolution of the Odissi classical form, solidifying her role as a pioneer in its revival and popularization. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (1998), Odissi Nrutya Sanman (2013), Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Governor's Plaque.