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The most outstanding exponents of Odishi dance in India today was in shillong
Geeta Mahalik is one of the most outstanding exponents of Odishi dance in India today. She is the recipient of central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Odishi dance. Trained in the grammar of dance from an early age by two eminent gurus of Odishi – initially by late Deba Prasad Dash and later by Shri Mayadhar Raut - she has inherited the best of the great Odishi tradition. Building on the scaffolding of grammar learnt from these eminent gurus, she has made her own distinctive contribution of innovative interpretation through powerful mimetic
choreography to appeal to a variety of viewers cutting across the barriers of region and language. Critics have often described her dance as “sheer poetry in motion”.
She has performed more than once in all the major dance festivals of the country like Khajuraho, Ellora, Elephanta, Konarka, Mukteswar Dance Festival, Ganga Mahotsav, Badri Kedar Utsav, Taj Festival, Kalidas Samaroh at Ujjain, Mandu Festival, Mahabalipuram Festival, etc. Crossing the shores of India, she has performed in USA, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, China, Mongolia, Nepal and many countries of East and West Africa under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Her innovative choreography in dance-dramas like Lavanyavati, Krishnabhilasha and Draupadi:Antim Prashna has won tremendous plaudits from critics and connoisseurs alike.
| She has made her own distinctive contribution of innovative interpretation through powerful mimetic choreography to appeal to a variety of viewers cutting across the barriers of region and language. Critics have often described her dance as “sheer poetry in motion”. |
She has won many honours and awards from cultural and artistic organizations in India and abroad. Apart from central Sangeet Natak Akademi’s and Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademis’ Award for Odishi dance, she has been honoured with Gramini Award by India International Rural Cultural Centre for bridging the cultural divide between rural and urban. She was awarded senior fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for her pioneering work in the field of evolution of Odishi dance.
She has been invited to be a member of several Expert Committees of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India dealing with selection of performing arts and artists. She has also been a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Defence for selection of school children’s dance items presented at the Republic Day Parade. She was a member of the General Council of the central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and also of Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi. She is the Founder-Director of Upasana.
The Society for the promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPICMACAY), Meghalaya chapter along with the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DONER) organised an Indian Classical Dance Performance (Odissi) in different Government Schools in and around Shillong.
During the performance, Geeta Mahalik explained the nuances and the intricacies of Odissi classical dances postures such as Tribhangi (three parts bend of body) and Chauka (basic square stance) etc., while explaining the subtle differences among the various classical forms of dances in India.
Mahalik, while dwelling on Odissi repertoire, presented Mangalacharana (invocation) and Abhinaya (expressional dance) through the mythological descriptions.
The Odissi enthusiast had a little Conversation with woman’s Panorama. Following are the citation.
What was your inspiration to take up dancing?
Since my childhood I had been practicing dance hence gradually it became my passion. Since the beginning I was in love with Odissi dance, learnt and mastered it to an extent. I got inspired not directly or indirectly by anybody but it was inside me and learnt it from my gurus were Devaprasad Dass, Kalicharan Dass, Pankaj Charan Dass and Mayadhar. Odissi is the oldest surviving dance forms of India according to archaeological evidences and is one among eight classical dances.
What are the Avenues?
| During the performance, Geeta Mahalik explained the nuances and the intricacies of Odissi classical dances postures such as Tribhangi (three parts bend of body) and Chauka (basic square stance) etc., while explaining the subtle differences among the various classical forms of dances in India. |
There are various avenues but let me explain one of them, it’s about this present project. This program is especially for the northeast students. We are spreading knowledge to the youngster about the cultural dance of India to the new generation of school students. I am very glad to be the pioneer in northeast India and while performing I can undergo that many of the youngsters are very much interested in dance and songs. But it’s sad to say that many of them have less idea about arts and culture of India, many of them have never seen this kind of dance ever. So I am very glad to be in their midst to spread the knowledge of dance. I have also demonstrated the stories behind the dance and about various kinds of dance.
| I have been also performing every nook and corner of India and in and around the world like USA, Canada, Greece, Spain, Africa, China, Portugal, Mongolia, and Malaysia etc |
I have been also performing every nook and corner of India and in and around the world like USA, Canada, Greece, Spain, Africa, China, Portugal, Mongolia, and Malaysia etc
I also have my dancing school in Delhi which is called Upasana, where I teach dance to youngster and I also have my repertory group where we choreograph.
How many Classical dance are there in India?
There are 8 forms of classical dance in India, namely Odhisi is the classical dance of Odhisa, the Bharat Natyam is of Tamil Nadu, kuchukuri is of Andhra Pradesh, Kerela has got two classical dance form Mohini Attam & Kathakkali dance, and then Kathak is of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Manipuri dance of Manipur, Assam has got Shatrinatya
Is this your first visit to Shillong?
I have visited Shillong six month too to perform in State Central library Auditorium during the celebration of 150th birthday of Vivekananda hence I
was invited to perform Odhisi. I had also come here for sight seeing to enjoy the beauty of nature.
What message would you like to leave to the people of Northeast region through your classi dance?
With this project I would like to give awareness about the classical dance of India especially Odhisi to the new generation. This days the Government is also giving opportunity to the children to get exposed to various kinds of arts and culture so that If the children is interested he might get some idea and knowledge
