History of Alapa Cultural Trust

Alapa Cultural Trust is a humble yet dedicated institution committed to the promotion and teaching of Odissi music. It was founded by three individuals who shared a deep love for the art form: Late Dr. Sarat Kumar Mohapatra, his wife Dr. Alaka Nanda, and the renowned Odissi music guru, Shri Nimakanta Routray. Their sincere wish to preserve and nurture Odisha’s classical music tradition led to the birth of this trust.

A New Chapter of Leadership

After the passing of Dr. Sarat Kumar Mohapatra, the trust entered a new phase of growth under the leadership of Sri Badri Narayan Mohanty, who kindly assumed the role of President in 2021. With his quiet dedication and thoughtful guidance, Alapa Cultural Trust has continued to grow from strength to strength. He is joined by Sri Manas Kumar Jena, who serves as Executive Member, bringing his sincere efforts and active support to carry forward the founders’ vision. Together, they are working with commitment and care to take the trust to new heights while staying true to its roots.

The Heartbeat of Alapa: Guru Shri Nimakanta Routray

From the beginning, Guru Shri Nimakanta Routray has been the guiding light of the trust. Under his constant mentorship, Alapa has been conducting classes, workshops, and performances for students and music lovers. Many have found not only learning but also deep inspiration through their association with the trust.

It is important to acknowledge that without Guru Routray’s tireless passion and lifelong dedication, this journey would not have been possible. A gentle and committed artist, he has been working since 1987 to spread Odissi music-travelling by local transport in those days to places like Balasore, Nayagarh, and Sambalpur to teach, perform, and plant the seeds of this beautiful tradition. With quiet determination, he has devoted his life to keeping Odisha’s cultural roots alive.

The Meaning Behind the Name “Alapa”

The name “Alapa” was lovingly given to the trust by Guru Nimakanta Routray himself. In Indian classical music, alapa refers to the slow and expressive unfolding of a raga-the initial movement without rhythm, where the musician gently explores the melody, revealing its mood and spirit note by note.

This concept of patience, depth, and inner connection is at the core of our work at Alapa Cultural Trust. Just as an alapa grows slowly and soulfully, the journey of the trust too has evolved with care, sincerity, and devotion.

By choosing this name, the founders wished to remind us that learning music is not only about performance-it is about feeling, understanding, and connecting with the soul of the tradition.

Our Vision

At Alapa Cultural Trust, we hope to create a nurturing space where every learner can begin their own alapa-a personal journey into the heart of Odissi music and the timeless cultural spirit of Odisha.