Padmashree Ranjana Gauhar, is a renowned Odissi dancer, guru and choreographer. She is a multidimensional personality whose interests also include theatre, painting and choreography. Ranjana Gauhar has been honoured with the prestigious Padmashree Award in 2003 for her longstanding services in the field of Odissi Dance. She is also the recipient of the National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the President of India (2007), Senior Fellowship for her research in the temple tradition of Odissi dance by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award and Mahari Award in 2007 and many other accolades. Ranjana ji’s performances bear the signature of a distinctive style because of her extensive training in Chhau, Kathak and Manipuri as well. It has widened her knowledge and understanding of Indian Classical Dance. Such a background has led her to boldly explore and reach out to other creative expressions such as authoring a book “Odissi, The Dance Divine”, which was released on the 13 February 2007. Padmashree Ranjana received her training under the legendary Guru Mayadhar Rout and Ms Aloka Paniker. She is also actively involved in creating awareness by presenting lec-dem in rural and semi-rural regions of the country. Ranjana ji is the moving spirit behind the non-governmental organization ‘Utsav’ started by her in 1987.