Interview: ODISSI DANCER MADHUR GUPTA Talks About SOPAN, the Festival Of Young Dancers

SOPAN -- A new festival of young musicians and dancers will take place in the capital. Participating in the event is also Odissi dancer Madhur Gupta, who would be showing his recital. The performance will include some choice compositions of the dancers' gurus Guru Sharon Lowen ji, her Guru Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra ji.

BWW catches up with Madhur Gupta on the upcoming recital and the significance of Gurus of his craft in his life

Tell us about your gurus Guru Sharon Lowen ji, andher guru Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra ji how do they inspire you and what do you draw from them?

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is deemed to be one of the major architects of Odissi dance as we see today. There was a time in the early 40's - 50's when an entire Odissi recital used to be encapsulated in just half an hour. From that to extending this lyrical art form to choreographies lasting hours, Guru ji has had played an instrumental role for the same. My Guru, Sharon Lowen ji has been a prime disciple of late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra for decades. Her groundbreaking works in different languages, which also included choreographing for the television medium, precisely Doordarshan have been well documented and archived. Sharon ji has been an epitome of refined grace and aesthetic sensibilities, which in turn we, her disciples have imbibed. Determination, grit, passion, constant rumination of the art, and most of all humility is what I personally have learnt from both the Gurus.

2. Where all have you performed Odissi dance. Are there any other dance forms you practice too?

I have performed Odissi at many places now, recent ones include the 15th century Neemrana Fort Palace. But my dream destination to perform remains the Lincoln Center, hopefully someday soon. I used to learn Kathak from Birju Maharaj ji as a kid, but that only remained till learning, I have always focused on Odissi.

3. Do you feel social media has brought the youngsters closer to traditional dance forms?

I think that's a definite yes. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter although clutter ones life to no extent; they also help the art forms reach out to the global audience and especially those interested in them. To be safe, one can term social media as a necessary evil.

4. Tell us more about the upcoming performance?

I have been honored to be invited by Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi Government's apex cultural body to perform at their prestigious young dancers and musicians festival titled Sopan. In a soon fading trend of performing to live music, the organizers have thankfully insisted that we perform with an orchestra. And to be honest live music adds a certain aura of authenticity and legitimacy to our Indian classical performing arts, making it pukka. At Sopan I shall be presenting Kamakshi Mangalacharan which I choreographed with utmost literary help from Guru Kamalini Dutt and my Guru Sharon Lowen ji. Apart from this I shall also present a few choice compositions of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Sharon Lowen.

Date & Time: 2nd Feb 2019, 6:30 pm

Venue: Central Park, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi

Entry: First come first serve

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