My ability to tell a story is what excites me to write about people and places. I now wish to write the story that I see in my head about dear Shanti Apa and Sri Gopal babu, friends that I know from Canada. I was happy and excited when I called and asked them whether I can write a few lines about them in social media. I can’t describe my joyous feelings when they both agreed for me to go ahead with my story. I was excited and could not wait to get started. The first thing came to my mind that they really bring the best in people, no matter how old and where they are from. They both know the art of passing down information, knowledge and wisdom in creative ways. With their selfless work they have helped to construct and shape our Odissi dance in North America when we did not have many dancers or media like now a days.
“Odissi (Odia: ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ Oḍiśī), also referred to as Orissi in older literature, is a major ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha-an eastern coastal state of India”
Sri Gopal babu has often talked about how we can improve our small community and never mentions the negative side of what we did not or could not do right. I guess this is the reason why I often wish secretly that I should have been in Canada, which might have brought my creative side of wanting to act in plays and dramas. With his persistence effort we now have a yearly drama competition in North America. He started the Odissi dance in North America and the first Odisha society in Canada.
Shanti Apa is the model wife and mother every man or child can aspire. Although highly educated, she spends most of her time working behind the scene to fulfill Sri Gopal babu’s love for promoting Odia culture in North America. Seeing Shanit apa I wish to be like her a little bit in many ways. She is proficient in all kinds of Odia and western culinary. My family had the good luck of being with them few times and I remember the food and hospitality she extended to us, although they did not know us well at that time. She is also an expert in dressing children for drama and dance. Most of the outfits were made with her direction or by her since the appropriate costumes were not available at that time (unlike now). Sri Gopal babu is a perfectionist and that makes her job twice hard but she always did it without any complain.
We are very fortunate that their daughter Niharika Mohanty (Rini) stays in USA and is the founder, Director, CEO of Guru Shradha dance Academy at California. Someday I hope to write something about our talented second generation Rini if she gives me an opportunity. Enjoy my post and know that we are blessed to have such talented and kind people among us in North America.
