Kasturi Pattanaik

Kasturi Pattanaik is a pioneering Odissi dance exponent, performer, choreographer, teacher, trainer and music composer from India.

Profile Kasturi Pattanaik’s compositions and choreographies in the Odissi dance are successful for originality and diversity. She has introduced many concepts and ideas in the Odissi dance repertory.

Pattanaik is an accomplished soloist and group performer, one of the pioneers of Odissi dance drama, blending the classical and folk traditions of Odisha and pan-Indian mythological stories. Being an Odissi music composer, Pattanaik has integrated Odissi music in its original format in her compositions and choreographies in Odissi dance.

Kasturi Pattanaik started her Odissi dance learning, along with Kathak Dance from her childhood. After completing her graduation from the prestigious Shailabala Women's College, Cuttack, Odisha; she joined Odissi Research Centre (ORC), Bhubaneswar in its first batch for her advanced intensive course in Odissi dance.

Pattanaik has the distinction of learning and performing under the foremost Odissi dance Gurus/maestros; including Late Raghunath Dutta, Late Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty, Padma Shri Gangadhar Pradhan, Ramani Ranjan Jena and Dayanidhi Das.

From an early age, she travelled across the country and world to perform and disseminate Odissi dance. She also conducted workshops in various countries; including in Hong Kong, USSR, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, North Korea and China.

Pattanaik has trained more than four hundred students across the country and abroad in Odissi dance; many of whom have established themselves either as acclaimed performers or as Gurus.

After her stint in Odissi Research Centre as the choreographer; an NGO described as "very good" and "of particular interest" by the Government of India Committee, headed by J. S. Verma, former Chief Justice of India. As the programme director for culture, Pattanaik promotes cultural and natural heritage.

She has created nine pallavis: Charukeshi Pattadeep Gati Sammikrutta Hansadhwoni Narayani Janasammohini Asavari Bageshri Sankaravaran-1-for the beginners Sankaravaran-2 Koushik Dhwoni Yog

Dance dramas include: The Deer Krishnasara (Krushnasara Mruga) Yama Savitri Sambad Rasa Trayee Kanchi Abhiyan Chitrangada Sthitaprajna Sabari Upakhyanam

ICCR Empanelled Artist Kasturi Pattanaik is empanelled in the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Honours Rajendra Prasad Puraskar from "Rajendra Prasad Smruti Sansad" at Cuttack, Orissa, 1997 "Abhinandanika – 1999" for excellent Abhinay in Odissi dance from Vishnupriya Smruti Sammana at Puri, Orissa Scholarships from the state in 1987 and the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2000 "Debadasi Samman" from Udayan Sanskritik Anusthan, 2003 Juries of the Central Board of Film Certification for 2002 Honoured from Kuchipudi Natyakala Mandali in Kuchipudi District, Andhra Pradesh in 1999 Mahari Award-2015, instituted by Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das

Festivals India Festival, USSR, 1987 Spring Festival, North Korea, 1990 (ICCR) Kalinga Bali Yatra (Indonesia, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Thailand) Solo Performances (Hong Kong, China, Japan), 1994 Khajuraho Festival, 1992 and 2007 Ekamra Utsav, 2007 Ellora Festival, 1991 Nisagandhi Festival, 1989 Surya Festival, 1990, 1992, 2010 Sidhendra Yogi Dance Festival, Kuchipudi, 1998, 1999, 2000 Udaya Shankar Dance Festivals, 2000 Konark Dance Festival, 1989 to 2004 Konarka Nata Mandap Festival, 1988 Central SNA Youth Festivals Yuva Nrita Utsav, 1992, 1996, 2003 Odissi International, Bhubaneswar, 2010 Utkal Divas-Rourkela, 2010, 2014 SANKALP Festival Series, Mysore 2010 and Benguluru 2010 Commonwealth Game, New Delhi, 2010 Oriya Cinema 75 Years Celebration Day, Bhubaneswar, 2011 Utkal Devas, Dehradun, 2011 Inaugural Function of 150th Birth Anniversary of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, Bhopal, 2011 Betwa Mahotsav, Vidisha, 2011 Satna Mahotsav, Satna, 2012 SANKALP’s National Festival on New Creations in Odissi Dance, 2012 Konark Festival, 2012 Khajuraho Festival, 2014

Research Kasturi Pattanaik was the Program Coordinator of the Planning Commission, Government of India research project titled “Promotion of Diversity of India’s Cultural Expressions- An Impact Assessment Study of Central Sangeet Natak Academy (SNA)’. It is a significant study on one of the premier autonomous cultural bodies of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.