Devraj Patnaik

Devraj Patnaik is the Artistic Director of Chitralekha Odissi Dance Creations Incorporated. He is a dance choreographer, teacher, and performer. Devraj received his dance training from Srimati Chitralekha Patnaik, Srimati Ellora Patnaik, (late) Guru Sri Gangadhar Pradhan, (late) Padmabibhusan Kelucharan Mohapatra, and (late) Padmashri Pankaj Charan Das. He received tabla instruction from Badya Samrat Sri Umesh Chandra Kar and Mardal (Pakhawaj) instruction from Guru Sri Banamali Maharana. He has performed in Canada, the United States, and India, and has choreographed and composed music extensively since the late 1990s. From 2003-2006, Devraj staged his Mahabharata series. The sheer volume of his created works easily makes him the most prolific Odissi choreographer of his generation, and he has contributed many works to the extant Odissi repertoire. His ability to compose Indian Classical music uniquely informs his choreographies. He has taught Odissi dance to many students who have since become professional dancers. In 2010 he was chosen to succeed (the late) Padmashri Gangadhar Pradhan as Artistic Director of the Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Foundation and the Konark Natya Mandap.