News · Odissi
Crossing Boundaries
Guru Aruna Mohanty Honoured with Chennai’s Prestigious 'Nritya Kala Ratna'
In a powerful testament to Odissi's pan-Indian resonance, the visionary choreographer receives top honors from one of the oldest and most revered classical art institutions in the heartland of Bharatanatyam.
Taalika Editorial · Sunday, 25 October · 1 min read
Great art refuses to be confined by geography.
On Friday, October 23, 2026, the Odissi fraternity celebrated a monumental cross-cultural victory. Padmashri Guru Dr. Aruna Mohanty was conferred with the prestigious 'Nritya Kala Ratna' award by the Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation in Chennai. For an institution that has been a formidable guardian of Indian classical arts—particularly Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam—since 1929, presenting this accolade to an Odissi exponent underscores the universal, boundary-defying power of Mohanty's choreographic genius.
The honour recognizes her outstanding, lifelong commitment to nurturing generations of talented dancers and expanding the innovative frontiers of Odissi choreography.
The Recognition
During the foundation's annual awards ceremony, Guru Aruna Mohanty received the honour from distinguished dignitaries, including former Chief Election Commissioner of India N. Gopalaswami and the Foundation's chairman, A.R. Santhanakrishnan.
The comprehensive award package reflects the deep traditional reverence of the Sabha:
- A cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
- A ceremonial shawl and a Birudu Patra (traditional honour certificate).
- A stunning gold-plated silver insignia of Goddess Saraswati.
- A formal citation of excellence.
A Shared Cultural Tapestry
Receiving this recognition in Chennai is not merely a personal milestone; it is a moment of immense pride for the entire Odissi ecosystem. The Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation's 2026 honors list was a gathering of titans, with Mohanty sharing the stage alongside Carnatic and percussion legends like mridangam maestro T.V. Gopalakrishnan (Kala Sagara Ratna) and Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam (Kala Ratna).
By bringing together the vibrant threads of Odissi, Bharatanatyam, and Carnatic traditions under one roof, the award celebrates the ability of classical art to transcend regional boundaries, weaving India's diverse artistic heritage into a singular, harmonious cultural tapestry.
