Remembering Odissi Guru Harekrushna Behera

🪔 About

Guru Harekrushna Behera, a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, was born in 1938 in Buani village, Balasore District, Odisha. His early life was deeply immersed in traditional performing arts; at the age of six, he joined 'akhada' parties, and by eight, he began his training in Gotipua dance under Shri Ramhari Behera. He further honed his skills in traditional dance styles, music, Chhanda, and Champu under Shri Shriram Chandra Dey and Shri Ramchandra Mahapatra. Behera's professional journey in dance education began in 1952 when he joined the Nrutya Sangeet Kala Mandir in Balasore as a dance teacher. His dedication to Odissi dance teaching dates back to 1954. In 1957, he pursued advanced Odissi studies at Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack, where he received training from eminent gurus like Kelucharan Mohapatra and Mayadhar Raut. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Delhi in 1960, sponsored by Babul Joshi, to study at the Natya Ballet Centre. In 1964, he received a scholarship from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Odisha) and the Cultural Department, Government of India, to learn Kathak from the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj at Kathak Kendra in Delhi. During this period, he also studied Pakhawaj under Late Shri Purushottam Das and Thumri singing under Late Smt. Siddheshwari Devi. Guru Behera was a pioneer in propagating Odissi outside Odisha. He established 'Nritya Niketan' in Delhi, considered the first school of Odissi dance in the city. He taught at Gandharva Vidyalaya from 1971 and at Sri Rama Bharatiya Kala Kendra in 1974. In 1976, he founded his own institution, which was formally registered as "Odissi Kendra" in 1981. He traveled extensively, performing and teaching Odissi in countries including the former USSR, USA, UK, South America, Japan, and several European nations. He passed away on June 24, 2012, in New Delhi at the age of 81. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Award, Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.