Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is more than just personal guru to those who trained under him - he is also guru and inspiration to the wider world of Odissi. One cannot put boundaries on Guruji.

Guruji has always been a source of strength and inspiration and I have been blessed enough to spend a great deal of time in his presence. I have chosen to narrate two memories which are special to me.

I was extremely fortunate to spend an entire train journey with Guruji from Bhubaneshawar to Delhi to attend a seminar that I had organised on Odissi music and dance. During the journey, he treated me with so much love and affection and even shared with me the story of his life and how he became a dancer and a guru. We would finish our meal, and still narrating his story, he would begin to prepare paan. I would become fascinated by the grace and beauty of his movements in this simple daily ritual. The way he opened his pan box, the selection and trimming of the betel leaf, the choice of ingredients and their application - it was as though his fingers were performing some pure dance item during each meticulous stage of preparation. The finale was when he would wrap up the betel leaf in the most delicate manner and very affectionately offer it to me. It was prepared with such grace and artistic mastery that I did not feel like eating it. When I told him the effect his simple actions had on me, I will never forget the blush on his face. In all Guruji's interactions with others, there is great simplicity and love, and a very special charm that is his alone.

While shooting my film Odissi Chandrika I approached Guruji and he responded positively. Furthermore he and Guruma opened the doors of their entire household to a large film crew. Their first grandchild had just been born and, in the midst of the euphoria of becoming grandparents, they allowed us to disrupt their household. We moved furniture to facilitate filming and overran our shooting schedule by more than six hours. Guruji and his family co-operated and supported us at every stage. Guruji talked about his life and times. He invited several of his students to perform for us and Guruji himself graciously performed several items. Not to mention the numerous cups of tea and snacks served to the crew. I cannot forget his magnanimity and large heartedness in giving and sharing.

I often tease Guruji affectionately that I am his Eklavya, for though I have not trained under him, I am his devoted disciple.