Cuttack: Dancer Utsav Charan Das, the celebrated face of Odisha’s traditional Ghoda Nacha (horse dance) and Padma Shri awardee, died on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Choudwar. He was 80.Family members said Das had complained of severe chest pain early on Thursday. He was immediately taken to the hospital but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite efforts by doctors, he was declared dead around 5 am on Thursday.A towering figure in the state’s folk art landscape, Das was conferred the Padma Shri in 2020 in recognition of his six-decade-long dedication to preserving and popularising the vibrant dance form. He was also honoured by the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi for his outstanding contribution to traditional performing arts.Born in Tangimania village and raised in Choudwar, Das discovered his passion for Ghoda Nacha while studying in Class 8 and resolved to dedicate his life to the art. Known for its colourful costumes and stylised imitation of horse movements, Ghoda Nacha is deeply embedded in Odisha’s rural cultural traditions. At a time when the form faced dwindling patronage, Das emerged as its strongest torchbearer, training generations of artistes and taking the performance to national platforms.His efforts earned him national recognition, including an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to Cuttack, where the veteran artiste was honoured for his contribution to folk culture.CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over his demise. In a statement, Majhi said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of the Padma Shri awardee, adding that Das’s contribution to enriching Odisha’s folk heritage would always be remembered. He extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
