Padma Shri Guru Gangadhar Pradhan

The late Padma Shri Guru Gangadhar Pradhan was an eminent Odissi exponent, choreographer and teacher who founded both the prestigious Orissa Dance Academy in Bhubaneswar, India as well as Konark Natya Mandap.  He was a member of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi and served as the President of the Odissa Sangeet Natak Akademi.  Among countless other honors and accolades, Guruji was awarded the Sanjukta Panigrahi Memorial National Award (2002), the Sanskruti Bharatee Award from National Council of Asian Indian Associations (2002), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar Award (2010) and the Republic of India Padma Shri (2008).