An undisputed master and architect of the contemporary Odissi repertoire, Guru Mohapatra has been awarded the highest national honors from the Government of India, including the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1966, the Padmashree in 1972, the Padmabhusan in 1989, and the Padma Vibhusan in 2000. He is a recipient of the Kalidas Samman and was honored by the Government of France in 1995. The contemporary repertoire of Odissi bears his signature.
Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra has come to be known as the doyen of Odissi. Guruji drew from his extensive insights of traditional Odissi painting ,temple sculpture and his knowledge of theatre along with the mastery of Pakhwaj to create a repertoire of solo and group choreographies for the stage. In this he was ably assisted by some of the brilliant music composers like Balakrishna Das and Bhubaneswar Misra. The obsession with anything aesthetic, however small and inconsequential, marked him out as an artiste of exceptional sensitivity.
As a guru, Kelucharan Mohaptra's passion for quality was equally matched by his concern and affection for all his pupils. He was a true adherent to the principles of Gurukul. Despite fame and adulation, Guruji's humility and sincerity of purpose never deserted him. He was known for the restlessness of his spirit and the childlike curiosity for anything new and unknown.
