WITH HER elegant movements, flexible footwork and communicative eyes, she is one of the Odissi’s finest and most dazzling exponents in India as well as the world. Kavita Dwibedi is ebullience personified. Daughter and disciple of veteran Odissi maestro, Guru Harekrishna Behera, Kavita was drawn, as though pre-destined, into the profession at the tender age of eight.
Over a professional career spanning two decades, she has proved her grit with her performances that have been commended in national and international festivals in India and abroad. A winner of several awards and recognitions, she is also the founder, director and general secretary of ‘Odissi Akademi’, Delhi -- an institution set by her to promote and propagate Odissi dance and music. A dancer of deep commitment towards an undiluted and authentic approach to Odissi, Kavita is credited with a number of new choreographies based on traditional chhanda music of Orissa like the much lauded Ritu-Rang (Seasons of Love) and Proshitapatika (Naayika longing for her beloved Naayak).
Known for her vision, versatility and superb ‘Abhinaya’, her performances have a pristine and divine quality, which leaves audiences awestruck and elevates them to a higher state of consciousness. In a candid conversation, the danseuse dances with her words
Q. Now that you are one of the leading exponents of Odissi dance, how does it feel?
KD. I feel now more responsible than ever before!
Q. Being a daughter and disciple of Odissi maestro Guru Harekrishna Behera, wasn’t it a smooth ride for you to reach the pinnacle of your career, where most of your contemporaries are still struggling to make a mark or gain a foothold?
KD. It is sheer God's grace that the journey of Odissi for me have been very smooth though at times had downs also but I feel that I can do much better. Being a daughter disciple of my father Guru Hare Krishna Behera, the process of learning was just like any other student. I used to get the maximum scolding. Yes it did help me being his daughter but it is a visual art form and you have to prove your mettle by yourself. Simply the tag of children of famous personality will not do. It is totally your hard work and dedication, which is being judged and seen by the audience.
Q. So, whom do you owe your success: your father or your struggle?
KD. Both. 40% to my father and 60% to myself. It goes without saying that my father was the first guru to introduce this classical dance form to me. And the remaining is history as I struggled to achieve this altitude.
Q. When did this dance form draw you and at what age you staged your first performance?
KD. I was always been fascinated by Odissi, right from the beginning – the grace, the beauty and the divinity. I started learning from the age of eight and my first performance was at the age of 12 at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture at New Delhi. For me Odissi is like a Pooja (worship). It’s like a meditation. It is the perfect blend of mind, soul and body thus attaining the pinnacle of moksha.
Q. While pursing your studies, when did you realize to make it your career-cum-profession?
KD. I am a postgraduate in Sociology. Yes, while pursuing the studies I was learning this art form but it was during the college festival that I did win the dance competition and it gave me immense confidence that I can dance. Thus I became serious to pursue my studies in dance. Also this time only I got the national scholarship from Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India to learn advance course of Odissi. I did schooling from Lady Irwin School and D.T.E.A School, Mandir Marg and then graduation from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. All these were the great patronage for art and music. From time to time I used to represent my school and college, which really boost up my morale to take up Odissi as a professional career.
Q. Tell us something about the awards and recognitions that played an immense role in elevating your career?
KD. Yes it does give you the confidence but at the same time it is a more of responsibility as well as people have a lot of expectations from you. So one has to work even more hard that ever before everyday.
Q. In your professional career spanning nearly two decades, what are the differences you observed year after year among the people inclined towards Indian arts, Odissi in particular?
KD. During my professional career, I’ve noticed there is definitely a change in the minds of the people. Nowadays, parents are very much interested to teach their children any form of classical dance. With Odissi it is more. But as an instructor and a teacher, I first do the interview of the parents that how much patience they hold to see their child performing on the stage. If they want like a fast food then they can look into other door. Because learning Odissi is an eight-year long course, which has to be completed within the span of 15 years of learning. It takes time to feel the dance only then one can think of becoming a professional. But I am glad that there is a sudden rise of interest among the parents. Even the boys are queuing up and joining in large numbers to learn this art form. Even the host hall becomes jam-packed when any Odissi dance performance happens anywhere.
