Event Details

Odissi by Sonali Mohapatra
and
Kuchipudi  recital by Washim Raja &  Moutushi Majumder 

Supported by HSBC India

Umang is a platform for promising artistes.This month, we present an Odissi solo by Sonali Mohapatra and Kuchipudi duet by  Washim Raja and Moutushi Majumder.

Sonali Mohapatra
Smt Sonali Mohapatra is an accomplished Odissi dancer and a global performer, with expertise in Abhinaya (expressions) and Nrittya (pure dance). At an early age of 5, due to an unfortunate event, she lost a major portion of her hearing, a loss that later proved to be irreparable. Despite having lost 100% of her hearing in her left ear and 87% in her right ear, she found a calling in dance. With the help of her father Shri Nirmal Kumar Mohapatra, a renowned vocalist, she became trained in “taal” and “layakariyan”, hence mastering the rhythm and flow of the dance. She began her early training with Guru Smt. Tripti Mayee Mohanty, and later found guidance under Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir. She is married to renowned flutist, Shri Abhiram Nanda, who is a disciple of Guru Padmavibhusan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurashia. Together, they have taken on the mission to take their art to global platforms.

Today, Smt Sonali Mohapatra, is a celebrated dancer who is famous for her abhinaya masterpieces and unique choreographies. She has received the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by Sangeet Natak Academy in the year 2011. She was awarded ‘A’ Grade artist by Doordarshan for Classical dance in 2007 and is also the recipient of Senior scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Gov of India. She has performed on various reputed stages like Khajuraho festival, Konark festival, Mukteshwar festival, ICCR program in Japan, etc.
She also been teaching Odissi dance since 1998. Her dance and music institution, Nrutya Upasana Pitha in Bhubaneswar is one of the leading institutions in the state which celebrates the diverse and rich culture of Indian dance and music. With over 100 students under her wing, NUP has performed on many stages both inside and outside the country and has many accolades to its name.

Washim Raja
Washim Raja received initial training in Kuchipudi under Baijanti Kashi, following which he was trained by Vanashree Rao. He has given extraordinary performances in Amrit Yuva Kalotsav and Nrityaveerangana by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh which was also showcased in Kalakshetra Chennai. Raja has also trained in Gaudiya Nritya for over two decades.

Moutushi Majumder
Moutushi Majumder started her journey in Kuchipudi under the tutelage of venerable gurus, Padmashri V. Jayarama Rao and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Vanashree Rao. Along with her gurus, she has performed in prestigious national and international festivals. Majumder has been conferred the ‘Tarana Samman Award’ and is a ‘B’grade’ empanelled Kuchipudi artiste of Delhi Doordarshan. She is presently working with Vanashree Rao as a part of Rasa United Dance Company and pursuing her training as a soloist.

Entry free and on a first-come first-served basis.