He was an Indian classical dancer, guru, and proponent of Odissi dance, who is credited for the revival of the classical dance form in the 20th century.

 

He was associated with the Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar and contributed towards the codification and systematisation of the Odissi style. He has choreographed a number of dance dramas in Odissi style, which included Panchapushpa, Krushna Gatha, Geeta Gobinda, Urbashi, Krushna Leela, Sakhigopal, Konarka and Sri Kshetra.

 

An undisputed master and architect of the contemporary Odissi repertoire, Guru Mohapatra has been awarded the highest national honors from the Government of India, including the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1966, the Padmashree in 1972, the Padmabhusan in 1989, and the Padma Vibhusan in 2000. He is the first person to get Padma Vibhushan from Odisha.