Laxmipriya Mohapatra, Noted Odissi Dancer & Wife Of Late Kelucharan Mohapatra, Passes Away

Bhubaneswar: Noted Odissi dancer Laxmipriya Mohapatra, the wife of legendary classical dancer Kelucharan Mohapatra, has died due to old age-related ailments, family sources said on Sunday. She was 86.

Mohapatra died at her residence here around 11.20 pm on Saturday, they said.

She is survived by her son Ratikanta Mohapatra and daughter-in-law Sujata Mohapatra, who are also Odissi dance gurus.

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 grief over her death and paid tributes to the departed soul while recalling her contribution in promoting Odissi dance.

CM @Naveen_Odisha has expressed deep grief at the passing away of renowned Odissi dancer and wife of late Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, Smt Laxmipriya Mahapatra. Remembering her contribution to promotion of Odissi, government announced state funeral for late Smt Mahapatra.

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 21, 2021