Bhubaneswar: Renowned Odissi dancer Laxmipriya Mohapatra breathed her last late Saturday night at her residence in Bhimatangi area of Bhubaneswar. She was 86.
Laxmipriya was the wife of legendary classical dancer and Padma Vibhushan recipient from Odisha late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. She passed away at around 11.10pm owing to old age-related ailments, her family sources informed.
Mohapatra is survived by her son Ratikanta Mohapatra and daughter-in-law Sujata Mohapatra, who are also Odissi dance gurus.
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Starting her dancing career at an early age at the Annapurna Theatre in Puri in 1947, Laxmipriya came in contact with Kelucharan Mohapatra at the Annapurna Theatre-B in Cuttack.
Though he was an expert in Odissi and Gotipua dance forms, Kelucharan was then performing as a tabla player in the theatre. They got married in 1947. Later, Laxmipriya quit her profession. She has also acted in four Odia movies.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief at the passing away of the noted Odissi dancer. He paid rich tributes to the departed soul while remembering her and her family’s contributions in promoting Odissi dance all over the world.
Patnaik also conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family. He announced for Mohapatra’s cremation with state honours. Her funeral rites will be performed at Swargadwar in Puri Sunday.
A pall of gloom descended the Odissi dancer fraternity after the news of Mohapatra’s demise broke.
PNN & Agencies