Ratikant Mohapatra is a dancer, percussionist,

Guru Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...

, and Choreographer and archivist of

Odissi ''Odissi'' (''ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ'') also referred to as ''Orissi'' in old literature, oldest surviving classical dance of India, is a major ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temple, temples of Odisha – an eastern ...

. Under the direction and choreography of Ratikant Mohapatra, 555 Odissi dancers, a large number of them belonging to foreign countries, performed in unison at

Kalinga Stadium The Kalinga Stadium is a Multi-purpose stadium, multi-purpose international sports complex in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Its foundation stone was laid by then chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik in 1978. It is best known as the home ground ...

Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar () is the capital and the largest city of the States and territories of India, Indian state of Odisha. It is located in the Khordha district. The suburban region, especially the old town, was historically often depicted as ''Chakra ...

to enter their names in the

Guinness Book of World Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, listi ...

. Odissi Dance entered into Indo-Chinese Movie The Desire under the choreography of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.

Early life

Dance choreography

* 2004: Varsha, Shantakaram, Sunaman (Hindi Abhinaya), Eka Lakshya Chaturpakshya, Bedanudharate (Dasavtara) * 2005: Jaya Mahesha, Namodevi, Shiva Panchmukha Stotram, Allah, Jhumi Jhumi Gopiyan (Hindi Abhinaya), Mokshya * 2006: Tarana Pallavi, Bhaja Govindam, Natangi, Bakratunda (Ganesh Bandana) * 2007: Charukeshi Pallavi, Sudha Dhaibat Vibhash Pallvi, OM, Kahibu Jai (Odiya Abhinaya), Matangi Dhyanam. * 2008: Nabadurga, Isi Basanta me, Nagendra Haraya, Sri Ramachandra Krupalu Bhajaman, Mrutyu, Megh Pallavi, Pattadip Pallavi, Nati Puja (Madhava Bhajan) * 2009: Bali Badha, Geeta Govinda, Naari, Sakuntala, Shiva Vandana, Dasavtar, Ganapati Papa Morriya. * 2010: Tantra, Swargatam Krishna. * 2011: Guru Bramha, Ravana, Yathagamanam, Ananda Lahari * 2012: Chandrakosh Pallavi, Nagendra Haraya, Bho Shambho & Bishwas * 2013: Geetamritam, Saggy Baggy, Sabari * 2014: Ardhanishwar, Samakala, Synthesis & Kubjaa * 2015: Abhanga (Hey igo vithalle bhakta jana baschale), Tarana. Namami Gange, Odia Abhinaya "Se Shyama Chhabi Chhataka", Purnangabaradi Pallavi. * 2016: Vinayaka-Smaranam, Tyaaga, Mahanayaka Bijayananda. * 2017: Hari Smarane, Mangaladhwani Pallavi. * 2018: Kirwani Madhurima, Maati * 2019: Surya Vandana, Bramhadaru Smarami. * 2020: Chandrachuda * 2021: Parameshwari Pallavi & Meepa * 2022: Manthara (From Ramayan) * 2023: Jatatabi, Jeebanam Madhu Sangeetamayam, Sarashwati Vandana

Awards and honors

* Conferred with the prestigious

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IAST: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recogni ...

for Odissi Dance from the Government of India, New Delhi, 2016. * Conferred with the prestigious ‘Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar’ for Odissi Dance from the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dept. of Odia Literature, Language & Culture, Govt. of Odisha, 2019. * Awarded with "A" Grade in Odissi Dance by Doordarshan, Government of India. * Awarded with Ph.D. in Performing Arts by Kennedy University, Saint Lucia, USA, in January 2025 * Conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Performing Arts by Washington Digital University, USA, in September 2024. * Awarded the National Senior Fellowship in Odissi Dance for the year 2022–23 by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. * Conferred with SKGS Diamond Jubilee ‘Nritya Choodamani’ by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, 2014. * Created a Guinness World Record for choreographing and directing 555 dancers in an Odissi dance composition, the first of its kind, performed at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Jointly organized by IPAP, USA, Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Odisha. * Received the Junior Fellowship in Mardala from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India.

Performances

Some major performances staged by Ratikant Mohapatra are: France- Festival of India and International Mime Festival; Germany- Festival of India and Autumn Festival; Japan - Festival of India; Russia- Festival of India; United Kingdom- Festival of India, Sanskritik Festival; Canada- Society of Fine Arts & Dance Academy of Ms Meneka Thakkar; Hong Kong- Vrundavan Dance & Music Academy of Pdt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia; Dubai- Sponsored Programmes; USA- 70th International Birth Anniversary Celebration of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in 1996, India Festival, Sponsored programs; Australia- ICCR Cultural Delegate & Sponsored programmes.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mohapatra, Ratikant 1965 births Living people Indian dance teachers Odissi exponents Indian classical choreographers Dancers from Odisha People from Cuttack Teachers of Indian classical dance 20th-century Indian dancers Educators from Odisha Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award