Pankaj Charan Das

He was the adopted son of a mahari (temple dancer) Ratna Prabha Devi and from her he learnt the art of devotional movement. He was responsible to revive the dance form that later became the base for birth of Odissi. He was the man who was responsible for bringing odissi out of the temple precincts into broad daylight. He was also awardees of Padmashree in 1992. His dance was laden with bhakti rasa and each of its movements spelt the holy name of Lord Jagannath. He strictly followed the mahari style in his dance. He was especially adept in group choreographies and has left his indelible impression on masterpieces like Glānisanghāra, Matrubandanā, Balagopālashtaka and many more. His expertise dealt with both Odia and Sanskrit language. His choreographed dance episodes based on the lives of great poets of India Kalidas and Jayadeba. In mid-life he was made the head of department of Odissi dance, in Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, the only college of dance & music of Odisha.[1] He was associated with the college for more than 25 years and later retired as the Principal.

He taught Kelucharan Mohapatra, Deba Prasad Das, Mayadhar Raut, and Bhagaban Sahu.

• President's Award by Sangeet Natak Academi
• Orissa Sahitya Academi Award
• State Sangeet Natak Academi
• Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Award
• Padmashree by Govt. Of India

• ‘guru of all gurus’ in Odissi dance Padma Shri Pankaj Charan Das.
• Adi guru Pankaj Charan Das ,
• Pankaj Charan Das choreographed Vasmasura as the dance director
• Padmashree Guru Pankaj Charan Das
• Odissi Guru Pankaj Charan Das, who belonged to the family of a mahari