Harekrushna was born in village Buani of Odisha’s Balasore District in
1938. He was trained in art of gotipua dance from the young age of eight
by Ramahari Behera. Like his other contemporaries, he too joined Jatra
party and toured all over Odisha, performing and learning various
aspects of theatre. From Ramachandra Dey he took lessons in music
and other traditional dance styles. He also mastered the Chhanda and
Champu and was well versed in music. He joined the Nrutya Sangeet
Kalamandir, Balasore, as a guru. It was in 1957 that he joined Kala
Vikash Kendra to study Odissi further. At that time, Guru Kelucharan
Mohapatra and Guru Mayadhar Raut were teaching there. Harekrushna took
lessons under them also, though all of them had been trained in gotipua
dance style. Seeing his industrious nature and desire to learn
more, Babulal Doshi, who established and was in charge of Kala Vikash
Kendra, sponsored him for studies at Natya Ballet Theatre in Delhi. Saturday, 7 July 2012
Obit/Tribute - Remembering Odissi Guru Harekrushna Behera - Dr. Sunil Kothari
Harekrushna was born in village Buani of Odisha’s Balasore District in
1938. He was trained in art of gotipua dance from the young age of eight
by Ramahari Behera. Like his other contemporaries, he too joined Jatra
party and toured all over Odisha, performing and learning various
aspects of theatre. From Ramachandra Dey he took lessons in music
and other traditional dance styles. He also mastered the Chhanda and
Champu and was well versed in music. He joined the Nrutya Sangeet
Kalamandir, Balasore, as a guru. It was in 1957 that he joined Kala
Vikash Kendra to study Odissi further. At that time, Guru Kelucharan
Mohapatra and Guru Mayadhar Raut were teaching there. Harekrushna took
lessons under them also, though all of them had been trained in gotipua
dance style. Seeing his industrious nature and desire to learn
more, Babulal Doshi, who established and was in charge of Kala Vikash
Kendra, sponsored him for studies at Natya Ballet Theatre in Delhi. 
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a very moving obituary by Dr. Sunil Kothari. So much assuring to learn that he had that rare grandness of his heart and remained without any bitterness till the end. He shall always be remembered with much fondness by everyone who knew him as a student/artiste or as a common person by his great humility and grandness of his soul besides his lasting contribution to the revival Indian classical dance in the most difficult years with all his constraints... May Krushna kripa always be on on His son's family.
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