Profile of Rajib Bhattacharya

Name: Rajib Bhattacharya

Date of Birth: 27th July, 1970

Address: C/o Provat Kumar Manna

67, Tollygunge road, Kolkata-700033

Mobile: +91 9831121261

E-mail: rajibodissi@gmail.com / rajib6burai@yahoo.co.in

Website:  www.rajibodissi.com

Dance has always been my medium of interaction with the Almighty. From a very young age, I have found it easier to express myself through my dance and now it runs through my veins. If the cycle of birth and re-birth exists, I wish to be a dancer, a performer in every birth. In fact, I can take birth only to become a dancer.

I had received my initial training from Smt. Sharmila Biswas at a very young age and moved on to complete my M.A. in Odissi dance from RABINDRA BHARATI UNIVERSITY, Kolkata. When I stepped foot in the world of Odissi, I could not rest myself. I immediately knew that I have to acquire more skill and knowledge. Hence, my eagerness for specialization in Odissi brought me to SRJAN (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa) and had the good fortune to receive training under the able guidance of Guruji, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his son, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. When I enrolled in SRJAN, I felt like I have entered the never-ending cosmos of Odissi. Guruji seemed like an ocean of knowledge to me. This ambience piqued my curiosity even further and I delved deeper into this cosmos. Four decades had passed away while I completely immersed myself in learning very closely the intricate details of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Gharana at SRJAN. However, my yearning for more insight in the Odissi form did not restrict there. In those times, I had attended several workshops by renowned Gurus in different subjects related to Odissi dance including the legendary Odissi dancer Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi. I also feel blessed to have received the training in the MAHARI form of dance from SASHIMANI and PARASMANI MAHARI. Throughout my career, I was a recipient of national scholarship under the able guidance of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra from the Dept. of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India and have performed in the major dance and music festivals of India and abroad. I had stood First in Odissi dance competition organized by THE STATE MUSIC ACADEMY.  Now I am a ‘TOP’ grade artiste of Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi and empaneled as an ICCR artiste. As an empaneled artiste, I am fortunate to perform at various prestigious festivals organized by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC).

Presently, I receive the benefit to continue learning Odissi dance under the able tutelage of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. Have I not only tried to establish myself as a solo dancer for more than three decades, but also engaged in propagating the art of dance through conducting classes in my own institution, ‘Srijan Chhanda’ (Govt. registered) where I am the artistic director. I now also conduct various workshops in and around India as well as abroad to spread the beauty and rich legacy of Odissi dance everywhere. I am the Secretary and the Principal of SRJAN (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa, Kolkata chapter). Other than my institution, I also hold classes at “DEVI PRATIDHWANI” (GURU GIRIJA DEVI‟s INSTITUTION), MUDRA KALA KENDRA, MALANCHA, LALIT KALA ACADEMY (SALT LAKE). I am an examiner of RABINDRA BHARATI UNIVERSITY, NIKHIL BHARAT SANGIT SAMITY, WEST BENGAL STATE MUSIC ACADEMY and THE DOVER LANE DANCE

COMPETITION. Moreover, I am the Assistant Secretary of the Odissi Dancers’ Forum, Kolkata. Now, I am making an able effort to bring in more male dancers and train them in Odissi dance since there is still a dearth of male classical dancers in this field and simultaneously training female dancers who are keen to learn about the practical as well as theoretical aspects of this dance form.  I put immense effort in developing new productions that deal with contemporary issues to make Odissi dance more familiar with the young generation of our country who are now more inclined towards western culture more and are oblivious to the rich heritage we possess. Through these productions, I am trying to make the younger generations aware of the rich cultural heritage of our country.

If I find the slightest opportunity to spread my knowledge all through the decades, I leave no stones unturned to grab that opportunity. If I can inspire and enlighten young minds, as a dancer that will be biggest achievement in life .

a) Bangkok: Performed in India-International Festival

b) USA: performed in various places such as Austin, Los Angeles, Tulsa, Dallas, San Francisco etc.

c) Bangladesh: in a show organized by The High Commission of India.

d) Performed in at various places in Canada and British Colombia

e) Performed at various places of TAIWAN

MA in Dance from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

i) Dancing

ii) Teaching