From: jhelum
Subject: [Odissi] 24th june
To: "DANCING ODISSI YAHOO GROUP"
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 3:00 PM
Hello everybody,
Today is Sanjunani's 10th death anniversary.
Like every year, smitalay will remember her & pay respects to her through dance.
I do not think i have mentioned this on the yahoo group.
- Every year, on the 24th of june - sanju divas - we gather in front of her garlanded photograph, burn incense & dance continuosly for 4 to 5 hours. the time used to be fixed. if 24th june happens to be a working day, then the time would be 4pm to 9pm. if it were a holiday, then it would be 8am to 1pm.
- This being the 10th year, we've decided to have it the whole day. 10am to 9pm. whoever wants to offer their respects to her are welcome to dance during this time. right now there is a lull 'cause its lunch time.
Those who cannot be with us can do their bit by keeping her in mind and dancing on ur own, either solo or together. The dancing that we do is not like a performance, but like a practice session, in our studio (or class as is said in india), very very vigorous.
love & regards
jhelum.
Gurukul across the globe. For him, Odissi is not just a profession, but a way of life. Day in and day out he is completely immersed in the bhava of Odissi. Guru Ranbir is a globe trotter and has numerous disciples worldwide. Apart from travelling with his disciples, he imparts training to them at his institute, “Nrutyayan”, of which he is the founder director. Sri Ranbir is currently involved in preserving the Deba Prasad Gharana and is exploring all possibilities to accomplish his task. Not only he himself but his able disciples are also involved in his projects. He has been very successful in his endeavor and is still striving to pass on his legacy. Guru Ranbir has very accomplished disciples not only in India but in USA and other countries who are constantly striving hard to fulfill his dreams.
Sri Ranbir was attracted to Dance and Music since early childhood. His passion for dance was not encouraged in his family as he was born in a Zamindar family and was expected to take up an academic profession. While at school, Guruji bunked classes at the slightest pretext and would go to watch any cultural programme being held in his village. When discovered he would be severely chastised. But this only made his stand stronger. After completing his matriculation he decided to join the Utkal Sangeeta Mahavidyalaya (an university of music and dance) in Bhubaneswar. But his father hid his form without Guruji’s knowledge as he was not keen on Guruji pursuing his interests. Finally when Guruji discovered the application form, the dates for the interview were already over. With a lot of hope, Guruji arrived at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and approached the then principal, the celebrated Odissi exponent Dr Minati Mishra, who refused to take the interview. Since Guruji was known to the legend of Odissi music, Sangeeta Sudhakar Balakrushna Das, who was then serving as a professor of music, using his influence, a special interview was arranged for Guruji. Late Dr Deba Prasad Das was instructed to interview Guruji. When asked what he knew about Odissi, quite confident of his knowledge, Guruji replied he knew everything. To this, Dr Deba Prasad Das 
commented that this was “Fodissi” and not Odissi. From then on Guruji seriously started training in Odissi under the direct supervision of Late Dr Deba Prasad Das and also from Adi Guru Padmashree Pankaj Charan Das. Soon Guruji became a renowned disciple of Deba sir and till date is carrying on his legacy.
