My Story

Saswat Joshi, a distinguished Odissi dancer and choreographer, was born in Titlagarh, Bolangir district, Odisha, on July 12, 1984. His dance journey began at the age of five under the guidance of Guru Prasanta Patnaik and Guru Shantanu Behera in his native village. He later received formal Odissi training from Guru Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty starting in 2000 and honed his craft further under Guru Padma Shri Ileana Citaristi.

Saswat has been honored with a National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and holds multiple degrees in dance. He graduated with a gold medal in VISHARAD from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh University, and earned his Master’s degree from Rabindra Bharati University, where he was awarded the Sangeet Ratna and gold medals in both his degree and master’s programs.

His impressive performance repertoire includes a notable appearance at the Musée Guimet in Paris in 2012 and many other iconic venues across the globe, including the Colosseum (Italy), Red Square (Moscow, Russia), Centennial Olympic Park (Georgia, USA), Times Square (New York, USA), USA-Canada Border (Michigan, USA), Petronas Twin Towers (Malaysia), Merlion Park (Singapore), Marina Bay Sands (Singapore), Qatar Skyline (Doha), Kuwait Towers (Kuwait), Stone Forest (Kunming, China), Bahrain Skyline (Bahrain), Samten Hills & 81 Landmark (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam), and many more. Joshi is celebrated for being the only male Odissi dancer to perform in front of world wonders like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Colosseum in Rome. His performance in front of the Eiffel Tower went viral on YouTube, garnering millions of views.

Saswat Joshi’s global influence extends across Europe and Asia, where he has popularized Odissi in countries such as Italy, France, Hungary, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. He is also a proponent of Sambalpuri Ikkat, often wearing Sambalpuri kurtas with ethnic designs at prestigious events to promote the handlooms of Odisha.

In addition to his performing career, Saswat Joshi has modeled for leading brands, including Manyavar and Boyanika, and serves as a brand ambassador for Odisha Tourism, Soulful Odisha, Manyavar, Boyanika, and Utkalika.

Saswat Joshi founded the Lasyakala Institute of Performing Arts, which trains new Odissi practitioners and supports underprivileged and challenged children. The institute has branches across Odisha and many other states of India and aims to empower students through dance. The annual Aekalavya Dance Festival celebrates Odissi and provides a platform for dancers across generations. The festival has been held in Malaysia, UAE, Dubai, and Singapore.

He also collaborates with the Swabhiman organization to conduct National Camp Anjali, an initiative that trains specially challenged children in dance using Russian biomechanical techniques to alleviate stress and anxiety. Additionally, his summer workshop, Kallol-The Sound of Excitement, offers training in various skills beyond dance, preparing students for careers in diverse fields.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Joshi supported the revival of Odisha’s folk dances, such as Ranapa, Chau, and Dhemsa, through video conferencing sessions and financial aid, ensuring these traditional forms continued to thrive.

Achievements

Saswat Joshi is celebrated for his significant contributions to Odissi dance and has received numerous awards and recognitions:

State Awards:

Sangeet Ratna with Gold Medal from Rabindra Bharati University
Mu Hero Samman by the Government of Odisha
Odisha Youth Award 2019 by Odia Media Pvt. Ltd.
Jaya Mallanrutya Shree Samman 2019
Nalco Kharvela Award 2016

National Awards:

Recognition by Oriya Cultural Association, Faridabad
Shishirachhanda 2017 by Adyasha Foundation, Bangalore
Indian Dance Festival 2015 Appreciation by Incredible India

International Awards:

Youth Icon by the Odia Society of the UK
The Artist Award by Musée Guimet, Paris
Cultural Ambassador Award from the University of Udine, Venice
Impact on the Field and Society

Saswat Joshi’s influence extends beyond performance. Through the Lasyakala Institute, he has nurtured new talent and promoted classical dance in rural and tribal areas of Odisha. His workshops and annual festivals provide vital opportunities for dancers and help integrate dance into education.

Saswat Joshi and his team directly or indirectly reach almost 10,000 students in Odisha, including those with Down syndrome, disabilities, and underprivileged kids interested in Odissi and Sambalpuri folk dance.

His commitment to supporting underprivileged and challenged children through dance is exemplary. By promoting Sambalpuri handloom clothes, he supports local weavers and preserves traditional craftsmanship. His global outreach through events like Odisha Week helps introduce and celebrate Odisha’s rich cultural heritage worldwide.

Through his tireless efforts, Saswat Joshi has made a profound impact on both the field of Odissi dance and the broader community, promoting cultural understanding and artistic excellence on a global scale.