Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22 -- Legendary Odissi dancer Padma Shri Guru Mayadhara Rout passed away this morning. He was 95.

Family members said Rout breathed his last at around 11 am at his residence in New Delhi.

Considered as the Father of Odissi dance, Guru Mayadhara Rout is the pioneering spirit who revived Odissi dance in 1950s with Shastra-based knowledge. He codified, redefined and restructured Odissi dance to bring it to the level of a classical dance form.

Rout was born on 6th July 1930. His training in Gotipua dance began at the age of 7. He was the first to present the Gotipua dance on stage in 1944. He was the founder-member of the Kala Vikas Kendra (Cuttack) and joined there as the very first Odissi Guru in 1952. It was the first ...