Rajashri Praharaj

🪔 About

Rajashri Praharaj is an accomplished Indian classical Odissi dancer, born on November 2, 1983, in Cuttack, Odisha. She began her dance journey at an early age, receiving formal training as a resident student at Srjan (Odissi Nrityabasa) under the tutelage of Guru Shri Ratikant Mohapatra. Praharaj also had the opportunity to learn from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra for a brief period before his passing in 2004, and attended his master classes in 2002 and 2003. She is recognized as an artist of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana of Odissi. Beyond her dance training, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Utkal University, Odisha, and completed her graduation and post-graduation in Odissi dance and music at Sangeet Maha Vidyalaya in Bhubaneswar. Praharaj has established herself as a prominent performer, captivating audiences with her technical perfection, sensuous movements, graceful footwork, and precise control of rhythm. She is adept in both nritta (pure dance) and abhinaya (expressive dance). As a soloist, she has performed extensively across India and internationally in countries such as Thailand, the USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. She is a lead dancer of Srjan's repertory group and performs lead roles in dance-dramas choreographed by her guru. In addition to her performing career, Rajashri Praharaj is actively involved in teaching Odissi dance at Srjan, contributing to the next generation of dancers. Awards & Honours: Sringaramani, National Scholarship in Odissi dance (2004), Nalanda Nritya Nipuna (2008), National Nritya Mani Award (2010), Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2013).