Home  /  Our Guru

Smt. Kavitha MohantyArtistic Director & Guru

Kelucharan Mohapatra Gharana · 35+ Years

"Dance is not merely movement — it is devotion expressed through the body."
Smt. Kavitha Mohanty, Artistic Director
35+ Years of Practice
500+ Students Mentored
12 Countries Performed In
8 Major Honours Received

Her Story

A Life Devoted
to Odissi

Smt. Kavitha Mohanty began her training at the age of six under the guidance of senior disciples of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, immersing herself in the rigorous discipline of the Odissi tradition from an early age. Over the following decades she trained extensively in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, mastering not only nritta (pure dance) but the subtle, layered art of abhinaya (expression).

In 2004, after years of performing on national and international stages, she founded Natyalaya with the conviction that Odissi deserved a home where tradition could be taught with depth, patience, and integrity. Today, she continues to perform, choreograph, and personally mentor advanced students, ensuring the gharana's nuances are passed on faithfully.

Guru performing Odissi
1989 Began Training

Her Approach

A Philosophy of Teaching

01
Tradition Before Trend
Every student begins with the chauka and tribhanga stances exactly as they have been taught for generations — no shortcuts, no modern substitutes for foundational rigour.
02
Individual Attention
Guruji believes every dancer's body and temperament is unique. She personally observes and corrects students, adapting her teaching to draw out each one's natural expression.
03
Dance as Devotion
Technical mastery is only the beginning. Students are encouraged to understand the mythology, music, and spiritual context behind every piece they perform.
04
Performance as Practice
Regular stage opportunities, from small recitals to full Arangetrams, are built into the curriculum — because true artistry is forged in front of an audience.

Recognition

Honours & Achievements

2014
Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Conferred for outstanding lifetime contribution to the preservation of Odissi dance.
2011
Nritya Saraswati Felicitation
Honoured by senior gurus of the Odissi community for excellence in performance and pedagogy.
2008 – Present
ICCR Empanelled Artist
Represents India on official cultural tours organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
2019
Khajuraho Dance Festival Invitee
Performed a celebrated solo recital at one of India's most prestigious classical dance festivals.

Guru-Shishya Parampara

Her Lineage

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
Founding Gharana Master
→
Senior Disciples
Early Training, Bhubaneswar
→
Kavitha Mohanty
Artistic Director, Natyalaya
→
500+ Students
Carrying the Tradition Forward

Learn Directly From the Tradition

Train Under a Master of
the Kelucharan Gharana

✦ Enroll Now

New batches begin every month · Trial class available