Posted on 9 July 2025:
Guru Aloka Kanungo: The Timeless Grace of Odissi Dance
Shrimati Aloka Prava Kanungo, born on November 26, 1955, in Cuttack, Odisha, is one of India’s most treasured Odissi exponents—whose name radiates with the beauty and discipline of classical art.
Aloka Kanungo is a luminous presence in Indian classical dance—a rare embodiment of grace, intellect and creativity. Trained at Kala Vikash Kendra under Guru Raghunath Dutta and Guru Mayadhar Raut, her artistry reached its pinnacle under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Each of her movements speaks the language of Odissi, with history woven into every gesture and devotion dancing through her eyes.
Through Shinjan Nrityalaya in Kolkata, her institution dedicated to the classical arts, she continues to nurture aspiring dancers with the same devotion she brings to the stage. As Director of Shinjan Nrityalaya, she breathes life into tradition with a contemporary pulse, nurturing a new wave of artists steeped in discipline and grace.
His journey echoes not only with rhythmic mastery but academic depth. From the classrooms of Sailabala Women’s College to a science degree with specializations in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology at Utkal University, his love for learning weaves seamlessly into his artistry. This rare blend of science and spirituality deepens his understanding of movement, form and the human spirit.
The Visionary Spirit of Guru Alok Kanango: Dance, Discipline and Devotion
As a soloist, she has dazzled stages across India’s prestigious festivals and mesmerized audiences around the globe—from the U.S. to Europe, the Middle East to Southeast Asia—spreading the fragrance of heritage through rhythm.
From prestigious festivals like Khajuraho, Konark, Soorya and Uday Shankar to international stages across Japan, the UK, Germany and Egypt, her performances evoke the depth of heritage and the elegance of spiritual storytelling.
Guru Kanango’s commitment is holistic—each step he choreographs is backed by research, each lesson he imparts layered with meaning. He embodies Odissi not merely as a dance but as a way of life, enriching the cultural landscape of India while inspiring the world with its soulful elegance.
Her choreographic brilliance breathes life into dance-dramas like Sthapatya Satya, Gatagat, Mahavidya and many more. Her pioneering research in Bandha Nritya and Sabda Nritya, along with celebrated lectures and seminars, affirms her role not only as a performer but as a preserver of ancient tradition.
With accolades like the Mahari Award, Uday Shankar Award, Shiromani Award and the Bharat Nirman Award, her journey stands as a testament to dedication, discipline and artistic excellence.
Honored with enumerable awards including Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her outstanding contribution to Odissi dance, her legacy continues to glow brightly—an eternal lamp lit in the temple of Indian culture.
