Guru Mayadhar Raut is one of the most loved teachers of Odissi, the classical dance form of Odisha. He was born in Cuttack, Odisha, in 1930 and began learning dance when he was young. He also acted in plays by a number of theatre companies.
At 25, Guru was given a government scholarship to study at Kalakshetra, the institution started by Rukmini Devi Arundale in Chennai. Here, he learnt Bharatanatyam, Kathakali and how to use hand gestures as a language. He studied the theory of ancient Indian dance from old Sanskrit books. Guru Mayadhar added what he had learnt here to Odissi. He also learnt that Bharatanatyam was performed on stage according to a repertoire, or a set of dances. So he made a similar repertoire for Odissi. These additions became an important part of the way Odissi is taught today.
Today, Guru Mayadhar lives in New Delhi. He recalls his days as a student at Kalakshetra. He loved to dance, but he was naughty too. His Kathakali guru, Chandu Panniker Asan, was strict. Asan would start teaching only after the students did 45 minutes of hard exercise and were dripping with sweat. This way, he knew that the students were warmed up. Once the boys started their exercises, Asan would leave the classroom for a while. Young Mayadhar and his friends would sprinkle water on themselves and on the ground. When Asan returned and found them dripping, he would think they had been exercising!
Discipline
Guruji says he learnt discipline and hard work at Kalakshetra. He believes one can achieve great success only by leading a disciplined life.
He remembers how affectionate his teachers and fellow students were. They all lived like a family and took care of each other. Rukmini Devi would make sure every student was comfortable, says Guruji. He remembers a few words of Tamil and Malayalam and mixes them with Odia as he reminisces.
The students at Kalakshetra came from different parts of India. Every Saturday they taught each other the folk dances of their state and these were later performed. In this way, they got to know about the language and culture of different parts of the country.
Guruji says that when he looks at students today, he is impressed by their hard work and high ambitions. He says he would like them to have more patience and devotion, as learning a classical dance form is a long process.
At his school in New Delhi, Jayantika: Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, he continues to guide young dancers. Guruji’s daughter, Madhumita Raut, is his senior disciple and she teaches, manages the school and the dance troupe.
Guru Mayadhar Raut has been honoured with the Padma Shri (2009), the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, the Utkal Pratibha Puraskar, the Odissi Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Rajeev Gandhi Samman and the Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Award.
