Banamali Maharana (, 16 May 1941 – 17 November 2018) was an Indian percussionist who played

Mardala Mardala () is a classical percussive instrument native to the east Indian state of Odisha, traditionally used as the primary accompaniment in Odissi classical music. The instrument is different from other instruments that might have similar names ...

Career

Maharana began playing Khola (Mrudanga) and Dholak with Goswami. His formal training began after he joined the

Annapurna Theatre Annapurna Theatre is the pioneer of Odia Theatre Company. Formation In 1933, Somnath Das formed Jayadurga Natya Mandali, an opera party in Khandualkote village in the undivided Puri district. A couple of years later, the organizers decided to s ...

, where he learned percussion from Singhari Shyamsundar Kar and Kshetramohan Kar. His brother, Guru

Kelucharan Mohapatra Kelucharan Mohapatra (8 January 1926 – 7 April 2004) was a legendary Indian classical dancer, guru, and exponent of Odissi dance, who is credited with the revival and popularizing of this classical dance form in the 20th century. He is ...

accompanied him to most of his dance performances. Maharana started teaching Mardala at Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack and then at

Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya is a performing arts-cum-educational institution in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. History and Accreditation Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya was established by former Chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik on 14 April 1964, u ...

. He introduced a seven-year course in Mardala music at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya before retiring as the Head of the Mardala department in 1999. Maharana was the most sought-after Mardal player for Odissi performances in his time. Besides Kelucharana, Banamali accompanied

Sanjukta Panigrahi Sanjukta Panigrahi (24 August 1944 – 24 June 1997) was a dancer from India, who was the foremost exponent of Indian classical dance Odissi. Sanjukta was the first Odia woman to embrace this ancient classical dance at an early age and ensure ...

, Oopali Operajita, Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi,

Sonal Mansingh Sonal Mansingh (born 30 April 1944) is an Indian classical dancer and Guru Bharatanatyam and Odissi dancing style. She has been nominated by the President of India to become a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. She is the youngest recipient of ...

, Aruna Mohanty,

Sujata Mohapatra Sujata Mohapatra (born 27 June 1968) is an Indian classical dancer and teacher of Odissi dancing style. Early life and background Sujata Mohapatra was born in Balasore in 1968. She started learning Odissi at an early age from Guru Sudhakar Sa ...

, Parwati Dutta and others in dance performances, in India and abroad.

Awards

* Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Sanman - 2016

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maharana, Banamali 1941 births 2018 deaths Indian percussionists People from Puri district Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Odissi music Odissi Mardala Mardala players