Sujata Mohapatra Biography 
Sujata Mohapatra is a well-known classical dance of Odissi dance form. She is also a dance teacher. She learnt the art form from doyen Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar, and later married his son, Ratikant Mohapatra who is also an artist and choreographer of the same art form. She owns an Odissi Institute - Guru Keerti Srjan, in her hometown, Balasore, opened in 2011. She is a Top Grade Artist of Doordarshan Outstanding Category Artist in ICCR, and has won many accolades and rewards.
Her maiden name is Sujata Mohanty. She was born on 27 June 1968 in Balasore, Odisha. She started learning Odissi at an early age, and Guru Sudhakar Sahu was her first guru. She came to Bhubaneswar in her late teens in 1987, where she continued with her dance classes. She got opportunity to learn under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar. Later she married his son Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The couple has one daughter, Preetisha Mohapatra who follows the footsteps of her parents.
Sujata performed in Odissi classical and folk dance forms during her early days. She started with Sahu's dance troupe during the early phase of her professional career, performing both these styles. Her dance style evolved after she started training under Kelucharan Mohapatra. She now serves as the principal of the Odishi dance institute started by her father-in-law, and also teaches students at her own institute, Guru Keerti Srjan.
She is a recipient of numerous awards including Nritya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 2014, Sanjukta Panigrahi Award, Chitra Krishnamurthi from Washington D.C, Nritya Ragini, Puri in 2002, Baisakhi Award, Prana Natta Samman, Abhi Nandika, Puri in 2004, Bheemeshwar Pratikha Samman 2004, Raaza Puruskar 2008 and many more.
Published: July 23, 2018
Updated: July 23, 2018
