Saswat Joshi

🪔 About

Saswat Joshi is an internationally acclaimed Indian classical Odissi dancer, choreographer, and teacher, born on July 12, 1984, in Titlagarh, Bolangir district, Odisha, India. His journey in dance began at the tender age of five, receiving initial guidance from Guru Prasanta Patnaik and Guru Shantanu Behera in his native village. He commenced his professional Odissi training in 2000 under the tutelage of Guru Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty, and further refined his artistry under Guru Padma Shri Ileana Citaristi. Joshi is an exponent of the Odissi style propagated by Padma Vibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. He holds a National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and is a Gold medallist in VISHARAD from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh University. He also earned a Master's Degree from Rabindra Bharati University, where he was awarded the Sangeet Ratna and gold medals in both his degree and master's programs. Saswat Joshi is celebrated for being the only male Odissi dancer to perform in front of global landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, and the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, with his Eiffel Tower performance gaining millions of views on YouTube. He has performed and given lecture demonstrations in numerous countries across Europe and Asia, including Italy, France, Hungary, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, promoting Odissi and Sambalpuri Ikkat worldwide. He is the founder of the Lasyakala Institute of Performing Arts (also known as Lasyakala Dance Vision), which trains aspiring Odissi dancers, including underprivileged and challenged children, and has branches across India and abroad. Through Lasyakala, he organizes the annual Aekalavya Dance Festival, a platform for dancers, and the annual workshop 'Kallol - The Sound of Excitement'. Joshi is also a brand promoter for Odisha Tourism and has modeled for leading brands. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Ratna with Gold Medal, National Scholarship, Gold medallist in VISHARAD, Mu Hero Samman, Odisha Youth Award (2019), Recognition, Shishirachhanda (2017), Indian Dance Festival Appreciation (2015), Youth Icon, The Artist Award, Cultural Ambassador Award, Nalco Kharavela Award, The Telegraph Infocom Excellence award, The youth inspiration award, Rotary inspirational award.