With almost four decades of dedication in Odissi Nritta, Nritya & Natya, Lipsa is one of the rare gems of Odissi Classical Dance. Born into a family of art lovers, her mother Shrimati Chitralekha, an odissi dancer of her times is the bulwark of Lipsa as an International Odissi Dancer.
Lipsa’s academic and cultural aspirations went parallel from the age of five under the inspiring guidance of Padmashree Guru Shri Gangadhar Pradhan, respected and versatile doyen of Odissi and under the tutelage of Guru Bichitrananda Swain and Guru Aruna Mohanty she mastered the intricacies and techniques of Odissi. She holds her Masters in Sociology from Utkal University, Orissa and her Alankar Purna from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai.
Impaneled with empaneled artist with ICCR, Government of India and conducts Dance Workshop demonstrations across India with SPIC Macay. She has performed across the globe including countries like the USA, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Mauritius, ReUnion Island, Madagascar, Comoros, Laos, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Romania, Dubai &, to name a few. Lipsa has been a recipient of Senior National Scholarship from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, International Ambassador of Performing Arts, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia, conferred title “Singaramani” by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, “Aradhana Samman” for performing arts, Gotipua Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar to name a few.
Lipsa has participated in some prestigious festivals in India like Khajuraho, Mukteshwar, Kumbh Mahotsav, Ashtanaayika, India International Dance Festival (IIDF), etc to name a few.
With about three decades of dedication in Odissi Nritta, Nritya & Natya, Lipsa is one of the rare gems of Odissi Classical Dance. Born into a family of art lovers, her mother Shrimati Chitralekha, an odissi dancer of her times is the bulwark of Lipsa as an International Odissi Dancer. Lipsa’s academic and cultural aspirations went parallel from the age of five under the inspiring guidance of Padmashree Guru Shri Gangadhar Pradhan, respected and versatile doyen of Odissi and under the tutelage of Guru Bichitrananda Swain and Guru Aruna Mohanty she mastered the intricacies and techniques of Odissi. She holds her Masters in Sociology from Utkal University, Orissa and her Alankar Purna from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai. Impaneled with empaneled artist with ICCR, Government of India and conducts Dance Workshop demonstrations across India with SPIC Macay. She has performed across the globe including countries like the USA, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Mauritius, ReUnion Island, Madagascar, Comoros, Laos, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Romania, Dubai &, to name a few. Lipsa has been a recipient of Senior National Scholarship from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, International Ambassador of Performing Arts, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia, conferred title “Singaramani” by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, “Aradhana Samman” for performing arts, Gotipua Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar to name a few. Lipsa has participated in some prestigious festivals in India like Khajuraho, Mukteshwar, Kumbh Mahotsav, Ashtanaayika, India International Dance Festival (IIDF), etc to name a few
Lipsa holds her Masters in Sociology from Utkal University, Orissa and her Alankar Purna from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai.
Recipient of Senior National Scholarship from Ministry of Tourism & culture, India • International Ambassador of Performing Arts, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia • Conferred title Singaramani by Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbai • Aradhana Samman for Performing arts, Gotipua Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar • Empaneled with Indian Council of Cultural Research, Govt of India
•Teaching independently in Gurugram for the past ten years • Sudhaya Dance foundation, Gurugram for one year • IIT Powai, Mumbai for one year
During my lifetime, I have presented numerous items across globe, however, some remain close to the heart where an artist can feel performances reach and touched the audiences. To name a few are below (some have links to videos…..)
An accomplished Odissi dancer and founder director of Orissa dance academy and Konark Natya Mandap, Guruji’s transition from a Gotipua to a musician and Odissi dancer, to a Guru came through his numerous performances, choreography both in India and abroad.
It is through his effort the famous Konark dance and music festival is being held every year at Konark, where the main objective is not merely to provide entertainment but to educate and refine. Guruji received honour and awards for his contribution, notable among them are State Sangeet Natak academy award, Central Sangeet Natak academy award, Sanjukta Panigrahi national award, and the prestigious Padmasree by the Government of India.
His philosophy and preachings which takes into account the cultural, spritiual and ritualistic aspect attracted many students to pursue this beautiful form of the art. In his true words – “Give 100% of your efforts and hardwork during practice, so that you deliver 50% of that on the stage” has an imprint on my mind and created a lasting impression in my mind. My constant endevour is to inculculate the same amongst my students to groom them into a fine artist.
“Never compromise on your practice, that only will help you run the show even if you are not fully prepared for it” ~ these words of Guru Bichitrananda Swain has been etched in my mind.
Guru Bichitrananda Swain, an Odissi performer, teacher, choreographer par excellence with a vision to embody the best of the ancient tradition of Odissi dance, while at the same time breathing new life into the art for through constant innovative choreography.
Guruji is known to provide intensive trainings to develop exceptionally skilled dancers. With his blessing, I continue to horne my skills and techniques to keep learning and growing.
Dynamism, charisma and astounding talent makes Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty one of the finest Odissi Dancers in the field of Odissi Dance. Smt Mohanty has always defied stereotyping. Her perception of dance and choreography is unconventional. Yet, she has been vehemently careful about preserving the basic structure and aesthetics of her beloved art form Odissi. Aruna has considered dance to be the essence of her soul. The rhythm in her feet connects her to a divine force. The perfect blend of bhava, bhangi, taala and abhinaya radiate from her performances.
Guru Aruna Mohanty, an accomplised soloist with a fine grasp of dance techniques and maturity in abhinaya. My personal experiences with her teachings have always been memorable one, specially while absorbing learnings of abhinaya from her she says “Always embed a dialogue in the mind, while performing an expressional act, it becomes a lot more easier to express and deliver the best”
© 2016-24 @ Lipsa Satapathy
