View source for Geeta Mahalik

{{short description|Indian Odissi dancer (born 1948)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name                    = Geeta Mahalik
| image                   = Geeta Mahalik Odissi Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee 2009-1.jpg
| imagesize               = 
| caption                 = 
| birth_date              = {{birth year and age|1948}}
| birth_place             = [[Koraput]], [[Odisha]], [[India]]
| occupation              = Classical dancer
| website                 = http://about.me/GeetaMahalik
| awards                  = [[Padma Shri]]<br>Kendra [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]<br>Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award<br>Gramini Award 
}}

'''Geeta Mahalik''' (born 1948)<ref name="sangeetanatak">[http://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/Awards%202009%20festival/10%20Geeta%20Mahalik%20-%20Odissi.pdf "Odissi"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143442/http://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/Awards%202009%20festival/10%20Geeta%20Mahalik%20-%20Odissi.pdf |date=2 April 2015 }} Sangeetnatak.com</ref> is an Indian [[Odissi]] dancer.<ref name="About me" /><ref name="Odissi and Chhau dance">{{cite web|url=http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/orissaannualreference/ORA-2004/pdf/odissi_and_chhau_dance.pdf |title=Odissi and Chhau dance |publisher=Orissa Reference Manual |date=2004 |access-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114358/http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/orissaannualreference/ORA-2004/pdf/odissi_and_chhau_dance.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Archaeology">{{cite web | url=http://odissi.itgo.com/ | title=Archaeology | publisher=Odissi Kala Kendra | date=August 2014 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> The [[Government of India]] honoured her with the [[Padma Shri]] in 2014 for her services to the field of art and culture.<ref name="Padma">{{cite web |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |title=Padma Awards Announced |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |work=Circular |date=25 January 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302065134/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |archive-date=2 March 2014 }}</ref>

==Biography==
Gita Mahalik started learning dance at a very early age from renowned guru, Deba Prasad Dash.<ref name="Deba Prasad Dash">{{cite web | url=http://www.narthaki.com/info/tdhc/tdhc23.html | title=Deba Prasad Dash | publisher=Narthaki.com | date=6 November 2010 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> This was followed by training under [[Mayadhar Raut]] which helped Geeta to develop a style which many connoisseurs described as ''sheer poetry in motion''.<ref name="About me">{{cite web | url=http://about.me/GeetaMahalik | title=About me | publisher=About me.com | date=2014 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>

Geeta has travelled extensively, performing in many countries across the globe like France, Switzerland, China, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Germany, Portugal, Greece and many other countries in the African continent.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/sangeet-nakak-akademi-award-for-geeta-mahalik/article713703.ece | title=Hindu | publisher=The Hindu | date=20 February 2010 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express 2" /> She has also performed at almost all of the major dance festivals in India, [[Khajuraho Dance Festival]], [[Ellora]] Dance Festival, [[Elephanta Caves|Elephanta]] Dance Festival, [[Konarak Sun Temple|Konarak]] Dance Festival, [[Mahabalipuram]] Festival, [[Mukteshwar]] Dance Festival, Badri Kedar Utsav, [[Taj Mahal|Taj]] Festival, Kalidas Samaroh at [[Ujjain]], Ganga Mahotsav and Mandu Festival featuring among them.<ref name="Indian Express 2" />

Geeta Mahalik presently lives in Delhi.<ref name="Odissi and Chhau dance" />

==Legacy==
Geeta Mahalik is generally credited with giving a national flavor to the traditional style of Odissi. She is also widely known to be a master of 'Rasa' (expression).<ref name="Indian Express 2">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article213701.ece | title=Indian Express 2 | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=20 February 2010 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Orissa diary">{{cite web | url=http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=16763 | title=Orissa diary | publisher=Orissa diary.com | work=February 16, 2010 | access-date=26 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114747/http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=16763 | archive-date=26 August 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Geeta has choreographed many dance dramas such as ''Lavanyavati'', ''Krishnabhilasha'' and ''Draupadi - Antim Prashna'' which have won critical acclaim. It is reported that she has brought in many innovative interpretations and religious and secular overtones<ref name="Orissa diary" /> through her choreography.<ref name="About me" />

Geeta Mahalik has founded a [[non-governmental organization]], ''Geeta's Upasana'', based in Delhi, for promoting arts and culture, especially odissi dance.<ref name="Upasana">{{cite web | url=http://www.indiamapped.com/ngo-in-delhi/new-delhi/geetas-upasana-6548/ | title=Upasana | publisher=India Mapped.com | date=2014 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Halabol">{{cite web|url=http://www.halabol.com/geetas-upasana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120901/http://www.halabol.com/geetas-upasana |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-08-26 |title=Halabol |publisher=Halabol.com |date=2012 |access-date=26 August 2014 }}</ref> The organization regularly stages performances in Delhi and outside.

==Positions==
* Founder Director - ''Geeta's Upasana''<ref name="About me" />
* Member - Expert Committee on Odissi dance - [[Ministry of Culture]]<ref name="Hindu" />
* Member - General Council - [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]]<ref name="About me" />
* Member - General Council - Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi<ref name="About me" />

==Awards and recognitions==
* [[Padma Shri]] - [[Government of India]] - 2014<ref name="Padma" />
* [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award|Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] - 2010<ref name="Hindu" /><ref name="Indian Express 2" />
* Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi<ref name="Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi">{{cite web | url=http://www.orissasangeetnatak.org/ | title=Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi | publisher=Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi | date=2010 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> Award - 2012<ref name="Indian Express 3">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article348232.ece?service=print | title=Indian Express 3 | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=24 March 2012 | access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>
* Gramini Award - India International Rural Cultural Centre<ref name="About me" />
* Senior National Fellowship - [[Ministry of Culture]], [[Government of India]]<ref name="About me" /><ref name="Hindu" />

Geeta Mahalik is on the artists panel of the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]].<ref name="Hindu" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2013/09/22/discipline-of-mind-and-body-comes-from-dance/ Interview in Shillong Times0]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYQzEkMmf2M World record Odissi performance featuring 555 dancers]

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Padma Award winners of Odisha}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahalik, Geeta}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Koraput district]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Performers of Indian classical dance]]
[[Category:Odissi dancers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Dancers from Odisha]]
[[Category:Women artists from Odisha]]