Padma Shri Guru Gopinath Swain passes away at 107, Odisha mourns loss of Krishna Leela maestro

Padma Shri awardee and veteran folk artist Guru Gopinath Swain passed away at his residence in Gobindpur, Sheragada block of Ganjam district, early on Thursday morning. He was 107. His demise has cast a pall of grief across the region, especially among the folk art fraternity that revered him as a torchbearer of Krishna Leela theatre.

Swain, who spent decades nurturing and preserving the centuries-old Krishna Leela tradition, trained artistes in nearly 30 villages across Ganjam district.

His efforts extended beyond Odisha, reaching neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country, where he imparted lessons in the folk theatre form. Through his teaching and performances, he carved a unique identity as one of the most respected custodians of this art.

National Recognition With Padma Shri

In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Swain was conferred the Padma Shri in 2024. The honour was seen as a landmark moment for Odisha’s folk art community, bringing Krishna Leela to the national spotlight.

Even in his advanced years, he remained deeply engaged in mentoring younger generations, ensuring continuity of the cultural legacy.

Tributes Pour In

Condolences have poured in from across the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed sorrow on social media.

ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ପୁରସ୍କାର ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ସୁନାମଧନ୍ୟ ଲୋକକଳା କଳାକାର ଗୁରୁ ଗୋପୀନାଥ ସ୍ୱାଇଁଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ । ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଲୋକକଳା ଜଗତରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଅବଦାନ ପାଇଁ ସେ ଚିରସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବେ । ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଦିବଙ୍ଗତ ଆତ୍ମାଙ୍କ ଶାନ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ…

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 2, 2025

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Padma Shri Guru Gopinath Swain, the renowned folk artist. He will be remembered forever for his invaluable contribution to Odisha’s folk art traditions. I extend my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath for eternal peace to the departed soul,” the CM wrote in a post on X.

Local cultural organisations and disciples of the veteran have also gathered at his Gobindpur residence to pay their respects. Plans are underway for community-led memorials to celebrate his legacy.