Ramhari Das

Pandit Ramhari Das (, ; born 1953) is a leading singer, composer, musicologist and Guru of Odissi music. Known for his renditions, compositions, lecture-demonstrations and writings, Das has served as a professor and led the Odissi vocal department in prominent musical institutions of Odisha, including the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and the Utkal University of Culture. For his contributions to Odissi music, Das received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2008.

Life Born in 1953 in Balasore, Das started his initial training in Odissi music from his uncle Radhakrushna Das and Guru Prafulla Kumar Sur. Das has several research papers & articles to his credit and has presented in various seminars & conferences across the nation. He has also received a Senior Research Fellowship from the Government of India for his research on Odissi music. He has been connected in various capacities with cultural institutions in Odisha, including the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Utkal University of Culture, where he served as the head of the Odissi vocal department and the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, where he served as the chief executive. He is one of the chief architects of Sangita Sudhakara Balakrushna Dash foundation that organises an annual three-day festival of Odissi music.

Guru Ramhari Das' Odissi Sangita Pathasala is a series of graded lessons on Odissi music available for free on YouTube, in which Das himself teaches the history of Odissi music, core musical concepts, shastras (treatises) with an individual treatment of ragas and songs.

Institution

Das is acclaimed for his efforts to develop musical awareness and education in Odisha. He has conducted Odissi music recitals in several educational institutions through SPIC MACAY. An annual festival called Gurukula Utsav is conducted to showcase diverse facets of Odissi music through curated performances.

Awards and honours Das has received various titles and awards including the central and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi awards. Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar Jadumani Das Saraswata Pratibha Samman (2017) Guru Sahadev Padhi Memorial Award (2019)

Published works

Odissi Sangitara Parampara O Prayoga (2004) Sangita Sangya (1989‌) Alankara Ratnabali (1984)