Ranjana Gauhar

Padmashree Ranjana Gauhar is a leading exponent of the Indian Classical dance - Odissi, an ancient dance style which originated, centuries ago, in the temples of Orissa.

For her commitment, deep devotion and dedication to Odissi she has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shree in 2003 and with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2007 by the President of India. Ranjana's tryst with Odissi began quite early in life. Born with a passion to use body as a language for the soul, Ranjana's thirst for innovation took her to different forms and mediums of art. As a child, she dabbled in painting, dance and theatre. But it was Odissi that finally captured her heart and soul and she trained under the legendary guru - Guru Mayadhar Raut. She sharpened her sensitivities by taking up Philosophy for graduation and English Literature for MA and enriched her experience as a dancer by also learning Kathak and Manipuri dance styles.

Padmashree Ranjana Gauhar views life as an extension of her dance. She has perfected and honed her skills in Odissi to create her own distinctive style and signature in the art form. She has even experimented with Chhau dance – Orissa's martial art form - and successfully blended it with her own inimitable style of Odissi.

She has also produced and directed a number of professional ballets depicting contemporary and mythological themes. Furthermore, Ranjana ji is an independent film producer, researcher and scriptwriter and has successfully produced many television serials, films, and documentaries. Her contribution to the propagation of Odissi is her book titled ‘Odissi – The Dance Divine', released in February, 2007.

Padmashree Ranjana Gauhar has traveled with her art of Odissi dance across the length and breadth of the country. She has participated in prestigious dance festivals including Khajuraho Festival, Kalidas Festival in Ujjain and Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale Centenary Festival at Kalakshetra. This cultural ambassador of India has performed at the Festival of India, Queen Elizabeth Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Hall of Plymouth, the Commonwealth Institute, Oxford university, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Dahlem Museum, Berlin, West Germany besides having performed in other cities in Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Serbia, Cyprus, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Yugoslavia, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Croatia and Latin American Countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Mexico. In Mexico, Ranjana ji represented India at the Cerventino Festival. She has also exposed the beauty of Odissi dance to audience in Cambodia, Bhutan, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, the continent of Africa, Mauritius and Egypt. Smt Ranjana Gauhar and group inaugurated the festival of India in South Korea in July 2011 followed by performances in Japan, China, Singapore and Philippines. She has given solo and group recitals in various festivals all over the world.

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