Kalicharan Pattnaik was born in the year 1897. He was one of the foremost authorities on the performing arts of Orissa. He is often called the Bharat Muni of modern Oriya Natyashastra, as, like Bharata, he too is considered to be a pioneer theoretician of Oriya drama, dance and music. Pattnaik has written profusely on every aspect of Odissi Natyakala, Nritya and Geeta. In fact he is the key personality through whose efforts Odissi dance received national and international recognition in the 50`s. His extensive research, exceptional ability to put across his ideas and untiring efforts enabled him to convince successfully a body of eminent theoreticians about the classical status of Odissi dance. He researched both Odissi dance and music simultaneously. After Odissi dance got national recognition Sri Pattnaik organized a number of seminars to discuss the classical nature of Odissi music. But unfortunately before he was able to crystallise his ideas in this regard systematically, he passed away.

Kalicharan Pattnaik was not merely a theoretician but an equally good organizer. He is the founder of the first modern commercial theatre of Orissa. His `Odissa Theatres` was his laboratory where he experimented with his ideas about Odissi drama, dance and music. He has also produced a social film in Oriya, named, `Rolls-28`. As a writer he was as versatile as an organizer. He has written more than a dozen modern plays, Gitinatya (folk `musicals`) and Nrityanatika (dance drama). He has also composed a number of songs mostly in medieval style. He has produced numerous research articled on Odissi dance and music. His Oriya works `Manchadhara` is a collection of works of Odissi dramaturgy, dance and music. His English work `Odissi Dance Tradition` is also an authoritative work on Odissi dance. He has also edited the Sanskrit works, `Geeta Gobinda`, `Natya Manorama` and `Raaga Chitra`. He was conferred numerous titles and awards at state and national level. But the title `Kavichandra` sticks to his name and he is most well-known by that name.

Death of Kalicharan Pattnaik
Kalicharan Pattnaik died in the year 1976.

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