Sohamasmi Collaborators
Sri Ashish Mohan Khokar
Eminent Art and Dance Historian
In his generation, he is a reputed cultural personality with wide interest and outreach. He has over 25 years of direct arts management and media related practical experience (dance, music, fashion, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, press, publications) at national and international levels with a wide variety of organizations, govt. bodies, foundations, NGOs. With 40 published books and thousands of articles on Arts, he remains India’s best known voice bridging generations of change with traditional values. A simple Google search on his name also helps establish his outreach.
Guru Vishnu Tattva Das
Eminent Odissi Dancer and Teacher
Guru Vishnu Tattva Das is a dedicated artist who has devoted himself to perfecting the art of Odissi based in the San Fransisco Bay Area, U.S.A.
Born and raised in Mumbai, India, from a very early age, Shri Vishnu Tattva Das had a deep-rooted interest in Vaishnava philosophy and teachings and has dedicated a lifetime inculcating the same doctrines to his life as well as others his life has touched upon. He began his training in dance with Smt. Jhelum Paranjape, director of Smitalay Dance Company in Mumbai. He then traveled to Orissa for intensive studies with Padmavibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at the Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar.
Guru Shri Vishnu Tattva Das is recognized as one of India’s prominent male Odissi dancers and choreographers.
Guru Dr. Sangita Gosain
Prominent Odissi Music Vocalist & Scholar
Associate Professor in Utkal University of Culture, Dr. Sangita Gosain is a renowned scholar and vocalist was born into music and has always been associated with music. She is a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of India for her contribution to Odissi Music.
Dr. Sangita Gosain, a prominent Odissi singer has completed close to 50 years in her music career. ‘A’ grade artist of A.I.R and Door Darshan, Dr Gosain had earned Gold medal with First Class First position in “Odissi Music” from Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh in Sangeet Bhaskar. She completed Visharad in Hindustani Music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad and A.B.G.M. Mandal Pune. Dual Phd degree holder in Odissi Music and in English literature, Dr Gosain now serves as a distinguished member in Odissi research center and involved in many research work on Odissi dance and music. She has performed as an invited artists both in India and abroad and has received many recognition for her versatile renditions in 17 different languages and specially for her melodious presentations of Odissi, Champu, Chhanda, Geet Govinda, devotional and film songs. An exponent of Odissi Music, Dr Gosain is the pride of Orissa who tirelessly works in arranging, organizing, directing and promoting Odissi dance and music programs all over India and abroad so that Oriya art and Culture is preserved in it’s original form.
Guru Achyuta Maharana
Prominent Odissi Music Vocalist & Teacher
A popular name in the Odissi music circle of Odisha, Sri Achyuta Maharana had his initial training under Guru Chandramani Lenka in Puri, where he obtained his Sangeet Visharad. He has had a strong passion for classical music since his early childhood, something which led him to continue training sincerely through his early years. He continued his training in Odissi music under Guru Damodar Kar, in Puri, to then obtain a Sangeet Bhaskar. He furthered his studies of music at the Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar, where he had the opportunity to be under the able guidance of the Hindustani Vocal Maestro, Guru Deepak Basu, and conduct research on advanced Odissi vocal music. He is also B-grade artist of All India Radio, Cuttack with speciality in Champu, Chhanda & Bhajana.
Being trained in both Odissi and Hindustani classical styles, Sri Achyuta Maharana has a strong understanding of the stylistic differences between these two artforms and brings the best of them both in his music, without diluting the strengths of these forms. He is endowed with a bhava-laden voice with a large range as well as depth and has established himself amongst the very popular vocalists, performing widely for Odissi dance and Odissi music festivals.
He is ably guiding many fortunate students in their journeys of music both in Odisha and abroad. He currently teaches music at Satyabadi Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Sakhigopal. He also currently trains musicians in Australia for the Sohamasmi Orchestra in Odissi classical music, enabling a live Odissi music orchestra, the first of its kind in Australia, to accompany Odissi dance concerts. His association with Sohamasmi goes back to 2016 where he has been an important part of student workshops imparting his knowledge of Odissi music for Odissi dancers from varied backgrounds.
Guru Budhanath Swain
Prominent Odissi Mardala Artist & Teacher
Shri Budhanath Swain, originally from Puri, Odisha, is a distinguished mardala artist celebrated for his mastery in accompanying Odissi dance, Odissi music, and delivering captivating solo mardala performances.
Shri Budhanath Swain embarked on his mardala journey under the guidance of the legendary Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, Late Guru Banamali Maharana, brother of Padma Vibushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, investing 7 to 8 pivotal years under his mentorship. Continuing his relentless pursuit of excellence, he has dedicated the past 24 years to refining his craft under the esteemed tutelage of Guru Dhaneshwar Swain, a revered recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of India. Additionally, since 2020, he has had the privilege of receiving instruction from yet another distinguished guru, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Guru Sachidananda Das. In this remarkable journey, Shri Budhanath Swain stands as a testament to the rich legacy of mardala, trained under three doyens, each representing a unique facet of Odisha's cultural heritage and national recognition.
Notably, Shri Budhanath Swain holds a Master's Degree in Music (Mardala) from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and is recognized as a 'B High' graded artist by All India Radio Cuttack and Doordarshan Bhubaneshwar. He has been honored with the Senior Scholarship for Odissi Mardala by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and has received prestigious titles such as Talamani by Sur-Singar, Mumbai.
His dedication to the art extends beyond performance - he is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Culture University, Bhubaneswar, under the esteemed guidance of Professor Jagannath Kuanr, focusing on the chronological development of playing mardala in Odisha. His holistic approach to learning includes training in Odissi vocal under Guru Keshav Chandra Raut and Odissi dance under Guru Pankaj Pradhan, providing a comprehensive foundation for his expertise in mardala.
With years of experience as an educator, Shri Budhanath Swain imparts his expertise to students of all ages, both in Odisha, around India and internationally (including the USA and Australia). He plays a pivotal role in training students at Sohamasmi, Australia, in the classical Odissi Mardala art form. Furthermore, he provides valuable guidance to musicians and percussion artists working with Sohamasmi to establish the very first Odissi Music Ensemble in Australia.
His patient teaching approach ensures that students grasp the intricate nuances of Odissi rhythm. With a strong sense of laya, perfect technique and keen understanding of Odissi rhythm, music and dance, Shri Budhanath Swain ensures he imparts the best to our students and upcoming artists to form a strong foundation for Odissi Music and Mardala right here in Australia.