Guru Pankaj Charan Das is an Indian classical dancer, choreographer and the Ādi Guru of Odissi dance. He is known as the 'Father of Odissi dance'. He was the adopted son of a mahari Ratna Prabha Devi and from her he learnt the art of devotional movement. He was responsible to revive the dance form that later became the base for birth of Odissi. He was the man who was responsible for bringing odissi out of the temple precincts into broad daylight. He was also awardees of Padmashree in 1992.His dance was laden with bhakti rasa and each of its movements spelt the holy name of Lord Jagannath. He strictly followed the mahari style in his dance. Read More
