One of the leading classical dancers of India, Guru Aloka Kanungo is a rare combination of dancer, choreographer, teacher & scholar. A worthy heir to the art of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, she has been awarded the prestigious Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her outstanding contribution to the field of Odissi Dance.
Endowed with a well-proportioned body, expressive eyes, and graceful movements, she embodies the essence of Odissi dance with effortless beauty and soulful expression. Her dedication and industrious nature, combined with a keen and questioning mind, result in a style marked by elegance and dignity that captivates audiences. Her innovative ideas are showcased in her acclaimed productions, where she experiments with Bandha and Stapatya satya.
Aloka Kanungo proved herself as a child prodigy at a tender age both as a born dancer and a versatile artist at the All India Radio, Cuttack. She was the youngest actress at the All India Radio, Cuttack and played the pivotal roles in plays like “Matira Phoola”, “Bissa Piyusa” and “Dukhi”. She stole millions hearts and was a popular household name in Orissa. She was felicitated, when she was only six and half years old by Kalindi Charana Panigrahi, the renowned poet, (father of Mrs. Nandini Satpathi, ex-chief minister of Orissa) for her memorable performance at Janata Ranga Mancha, Cuttack. She acted in Oriya film ‘Matira Manisa’ directed by Mr. Mrinal Sen.
Though Aloka was beginning to become to become quite a house-hold name as a budding actress, she preferred to be a dancer and soon became a name to reckon with in the dance field. Initially trained by Guru Raghunatha Dutta and Guru Mayadhar Rout, she blossomed into a fine dancer under the tutelage and watchful eyes of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. She received “Nritya Shree”,”Nritya Visharad” and “Nritya Praveen” from Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack. She has received many prestigious awards, including the Shiromoni Puroshkar and the Mahari Award.
Sringarmoni
by
Sursingar Samsad
Graded Outstanding Dancer
by
I.C.C.R
Outstanding Young Person Award
from
Indian Junior Chambers
from
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Siromoni Award
from
Asian Paints
National Scholarship
from
Dept. of Culture,
Govt. of India
Udayshankar Award
from
Pratisruti Parishad
from
Bharat Nirman
Mahari Award
from
Guru Pankaj Charan Das Odissi Research Foundation
by
Doordarshan Central Audition Committee
from
Dept. of Culture,
Govt. of India
Siromoni Award
from
Asian Paints
by
Doordarshan Central Audition Committee
National Scholarship
from
Dept. of Culture,
Govt. of India
from
Dept. of Culture,
Govt. of India
We’re a group of dancers who are enthusiastic about the Odissi culture, and are driven by our passion to preserve it.
