Odissi exponent Hare Krushna Behera dies

Renowned Odissi dance exponent Guru Hare Krushna Behera died in New Delhi on Sunday following a heart attack, family sources said.

He was 74 and survived by three daughters.

The dance guru had been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences following chest pain and he passed away there, they said.

Recipient of many awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Behera who hailed from Buanl village of Balasore district, had started his training in Gotipua dance at the tender age of eight. He also learnt Odissi Music.

Having launched his own institute "Odissi Kendra" in 1979 in New Delhi, Behera was perhaps the first guru to establish himself in New Delhi and was responsible for the growing popularity of Odissi.

Some of his well-known disciples include internationally-acclaimed Sonal Mansingh, Madhavi Mudgal, Radha Reddy and Yamini Krishnamurty, besides his daughter Kabita Dwibedi.

For his significant contribution to the field he received All India Critic's Award in 1981 and Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1983. In 2003, Behera received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.