 |
    |
|
|
 In fond memory of beloved Naba Sir: Guru Nabakishore Mishra - Ratikant Mohapatra e-mail: srjanbbsr@gmail.com October 30, 2024   With profound sorrow, we bid farewell to Guru Nabakishore Mishra, a distinguished figure in the world of Odissi dance, who passed away on October 28, 2024. A man of many talents, Guru Mishra was not only a dancer and choreographer but also a gifted mathematician and an exceptional educator who devoted himself to nurturing young minds as the headmaster of Radhamadhaba Vidyapeetha, his village school. His wisdom, humanity, and unwavering dedication to both the arts and education have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to know him. Guru Nabakishore Mishra was born with a natural affinity for the arts, a gift that blossomed into a lifelong devotion to Odissi dance. Over the years, his commitment to understanding the intricacies of this revered art form made him one of the most respected Gurus of his time. His choreographic creations were a testament to his profound knowledge of Odissi's rhythmic and melodic structure. Each piece he choreographed was brought to life with emotional depth, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression on his students and followers. In every sense, Guru Mishra was a complete artiste. He possessed an extraordinary grasp of swara (melody), tala (rhythm), sangeeta (music), and sahitya (literature), a rare combination of skills that set him apart as a true connoisseur of Indian classical dance. His ability to seamlessly merge music, rhythm, and narrative transformed each of his performances into an experience that was both spiritually uplifting and artistically rich. His choreography went beyond technical expertise, breathing life into each story he sought to convey and taking audiences on an emotional journey.   Guru Mishra's understanding of swara and tala was not simply technical; it was deeply spiritual. He internalized and expressed the rhythm of Odissi in a way that aligned perfectly with the mood and essence of each piece, enabling his performances to transcend the physical realm. Audiences were able to feel the emotional pulse of the stories he brought to life. His choreographic style was one of subtlety and grace, where he celebrated the narrative without compromising the purity of the form. His unique ability to weave technical mastery with evocative storytelling earned him admiration from critics and deep love from audiences. Beyond his artistic achievements, Guru Nabakishore Mishra was cherished as a friend, mentor, and confidant within the Odissi community. His colleagues and peers held him in high regard for his encouragement, support, and genuine respect for others. Guru Mishra had a humble and generous spirit that endeared him to everyone he encountered. He had a talent for recognizing the hard work of those around him and an innate ability to lift others with his words of appreciation. Often collaborating with fellow artistes, he blended his own insights with theirs, resulting in creations that celebrated and enriched the art form. His dedication to fostering an environment of mutual admiration left behind a legacy of camaraderie and collaboration that will be remembered for years to come.   On a personal level, Guru Nabakishore Mishra was a source of great inspiration for me. As an artiste, he touched my heart in ways that few could. He was among those rare Gurus who understood Odissi in its entirety, able to grasp the delicate balance of swara, tala, sangeeta, and sahitya. His artistry, wisdom, and humanity have left an everlasting impact. His memory will remain with me always, a source of deep reverence and gratitude. Today, we bow to the memory of Guru Nabakishore Mishra, which will be cherished forever, and his impact will resonate through the generations to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us always…  Ratikant Mohapatra is Director of Srjan and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Communication, and Indic Studies at Sri Sri University. With a career spanning over 40 years, his artistry as a dancer, choreographer, and educator has profoundly shaped Odissi's journey. Under his guidance, Srjan has earned national and global acclaim, merging neo-classical innovation with traditional grace. Honoured with the Central and State Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards and a Guinness World Record for orchestrating 555 Odissi dancers, his legacy reflects a steadfast dedication to the evolution and timeless beauty of Odissi. Responses * Shocked to know that Naba is no more! One of the brightest Odissi exponents and Guru who left his Teacher's Job under Odisha Govt. to pursue Odissi. Being highly erudite, introduced many items be it pure dance or Abhinaya in the repertoire keeping the stylistic nuances of Odissi. A great loss for Odissi. - P. Mohanty Hejmadi (Oct 30, 2024) * A beautiful artistic soul has left us unexpectedly. Thank you,Shibu bhai, for this wonderful tribute, so well written. - Gullapudi Raman Kumari (Oct 30, 2024) * A heartfelt compliment to Sibu Bhai (Guru Ratikant Mohapatra) for his deeply moving write-up, which so beautifully captures the profound sorrow and grief we all feel for the loss of the exceptionally talented Naba Sir. Such a well-crafted tribute, Sibu Bhai. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Naba Sir, honoring his remarkable legacy and enduring impact on all of us. - Sonalika Purohit (Oct 29, 2024) * Very well said, Sir. Amazing, mesmerizing and touching writeup about Sir, thank you so much. Please accept my sincere gratitude. Best Regards - Krishnaveni (Oct 29, 2024) Post your comments Please provide your name and email id along with your comment. All appropriate comments posted with name and email id in the blog will also be featured in the site. |
