Kasturi Pattanaik is an Odissi dancer popular as a performer, composer, teacher, and choreographer. Kasturi Pattanaik is a performer of Odissi dance, which is one of the eight classical dance forms of India.
Early Life of Kasturi Pattanaik
Kasturi Pattanaik began learning Odissi dance in her childhood, as well as Kathak dance. She studied at the Odissi Research Centre (ORC) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Her instructors included Late Guru Raghunath Dutta, Late Padmabibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padmashree Kumkum Mohanty, Late Padmashree Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena and Late Guru Dayanidhi Das.
Career of Kasturi Pattanaik
Kasturi Pattanaik is associated with the Odissi Research Centre (ORC), Bhubaneswar, particularly in choreography and training of its students for over two decades. She was one of the students to pass out from the first batch of the Odissi Research Centre.
Kasturi Pattanaik is well-acclaimed as a senior most exponent of Odissi dance form. Kasturi Pattanaik is both a soloist and group performer, focusing on Odissi dance drama, which blends the classical and folk traditions of Odisha, Indian mythology, and historical and social issues. Kasturi Pattanaik has travelled throughout Asia to perform and teach, visiting Hong Kong, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and North Korea. Kasturi Pattanaik has trained many students across the country and abroad, some of whom went on to become gurus.
Kasturi Pattanaik in Sankalp
Kasturi Pattanaik became the programme director at "Sankalp" in New Delhi. There she was involved in education, research and policy strategies. Kasturi Pattanaik worked to preserve tribal and folk arts that are nearing extinction. Kasturi Pattanaik promoted education for disadvantaged children and women.
Kasturi Pattanaik in Orya Films
Kasturi Pattanaik has taken roles in Oriya films and National Doordarshan Channel serials such as "Debadasi".
Kasturi Pattanaik in Entertainment Management Arena
Kasturi Pattanaik was a member of committees for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and for the Ministry of Culture; she is now on the Ministry`s Expert Committee on Performing Arts.
Awards Received by Kasturi Pattanaik
She received a number of awards like Rajendra Prasad Puraskar from "Rajendra Prasad Smruti Sansad" at Cuttack, Odisha, 1997, Sabari Upakhyanam, "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 and Juries of the Central Board of Film Certification for 2002. She also received award from Kuchipudi Natyakala Mandali in Kuchipudi District, Andhra Pradesh in 1999.
