Memories of Protima

Rohini Dandavate
Memories of Protima
Dr. Rohini Dandavate

On August 18
th
, 2014 the Nrityagram team celebrated Protimas life. Facebook
postings of the celebrations brought back fond memories of the time I had spent
with Protima in Mumbai. In the year 1979 she hired me to offer dance lessons in
her budding institution Odissi Dance Centre (ODC) in Mumbai, which after
years shaped to become Nrityagram in Bangalore, her dream village for dance
education. She had begun her lessons in Odissi dance in Kala Vikas Kendra
under the guidance of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra a couple of years before my
move to Mumbai. Trained in Odissi dance in the premiere dance school, Kala
Vikas Kendra under legendary Gurus, I was quite a fit to provide a quick start to
her dream project of launching a dance school.

Inauguration of ODC at Prithvi Theatre Pundit Jasraj, Smt Nargis Dutt, Protima Bedi, Guru Kelucharan
Mohapatra & Shri Soli Batlivala
Protima, was an exuberant personality and had a lofty dream of building a dance
school which would offer training in all Indian classical dance forms and also be a
space where artists from various disciplines could come together to create,
collaborate, research and write. In order to make this happen she aware that
starting small was the way to begin. The first baby steps was to get permission
from the then Chairperson of SNDT Womens University and the Prithvi Theater
to conduct classes in those premises. Classes commenced in both these venues
attracting number students of dance and other celebrities to explore and learn the
Odissi dance style. Celebrities like Soni Razdan, Nisha Singh and the late
Sangita Ghatge were a few who visited for a couple of sessions. The cinestar,
Smita Patil, brought Jhelum Paranjape to join the classes. Protimas fame in the
fashion world and in Bollywood, drew students from different walks of life.


Pushpanjali by Guruji and students

The formal inauguration of ODC was scheduled in the Prithvi theatre in Juhu. The
guests of honor included luminaries like Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Shri Soli
Batliwala, Smt. Nargis Dutt, and Pandit Jasraj. The program commenced with my
two young students offering the Pushpanjali and Bhumi Pranam followed by my
presentation of the dance number, Arabhi pallavi. This star studded event
received a lot of publicity and with the financial and infrastructural support
received from her well-wishers, the Odissi Dance Center flourished in the years
to come. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (Guruji) was invited each year to offer
workshops. This ODC was just the beginning of her larger plan.

During my stint with her, each day started with visits to corporation heads,
politicians, and her influential fans with requests for sponsorship and funds for
further development of ODC. Her personable style and eloquence convinced
people to support her dream venture. As a young graduate who had just moved
from a small town like Cuttack into her world of glamour and celebrities I was
enamored. Her indomitable spirit and persistence to make things happen came
clear in the strategic manner in which she continued to work for years. I was a
silent spectator and accompanied her through the checklist of tasks each day,
continuously noticing the methods of networking, building partnerships and public
relations. Though not formally trained in management studies, she was intuitive
and her experience as a fashion model aided her in these areas. She was one of
the few from whom I understood the meaning and importance of good
presentation both on stage and off stage, and the importance of networks, and
establishing apt partnerships. It was hands on education for me.

After about eighteen months of working with her, I decided to pursue further
education and a full time job outside of the dance world. Late Guru Natabara
Maharana was sent to Mumbai by Guruji to continue with instruction in the daily
classes.

For me, dancing was a hobby that became a passion and then a second
profession. Learning Odissi dance contributed to my overall development and led
me to cross paths with different kinds of artistic people opening windows of
opportunity for work. Much like the saying goes, it takes a whole village to raise
a child, before and after my move to Mumbai many people played an important
role in my progress. Protima was one of them. I treasure sweet memories of her
friendship and will always miss her.



Rohini Doshi-Dandavate holds a doctoral degree in Cultural Policy and Arts
Administration from the Ohio State University and presently resides in San Francisco,
CA. She earned her graduate degree in Odissi dance from Kala Vikas Kendra, College
of Indian Dance and Music, Cuttack, India. Her gurus are Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra,
Guru Raghunath Dutta, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena, and Dr Menaka Thakkar.

As an artist in the Arts in Education Program of the Ohio Arts Council, she has
conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations in Odissi dance for students in
schools and colleges in Ohio since 1994. She offers courses in Odissi dance in
educational institutions and community organizations. Rohinis research papers/articles
are posted at http://rohinidandavate.wordpress.com