Madhumita Raut is an Indian classical dancer of Odissi (Orissi). She is the daughter of Mamta Khuntia and Mayadhar Raut, who revived Odissi (Indian classical dance) in the 1950s with Shastra-based knowledge. She lives in Delhi, manages and teaches at the Jayantika Association's Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, the most active and result-oriented Odissi dance school in Delhi.[1]
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Brought up in Delhi in an atmosphere of dance and music under her father's tutelage, Madhumita Raut received her academic qualifications at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's School and Indraprastha College in Delhi. She holds a Master's Degree in English Literature from Delhi University and a diploma in Performing Arts.
Madhumita Raut is considered the main torch bearer of Mayadhar Raut Gharana of Odissi dance, known for its grace, depth of expresson and classical 'shastra' based technical perfection. Her innovations include compositions on Hungarian poetry, choreographic compositions on the poems of Goethe, fusion dances with Balinese dancer Dia Tantri in Holland. She has effectively used the medium of dance for social causes. She has also performed for the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, WWF(World Wildlife Fund - India),CAPF(Campaign Against Pre-Birth Elimination of Females),The Art of Living and for the upliftment of the 'have-nots'.
Netherlands Channel I has made a documentary film on her. Stuttgart (Germany) and the Hungarian televisions have showcased Raut's dance in their documentary films on India. Raut has also done a lead role in a film produced by the Dutch television. The film, depicting Indian values, was highly appreciated all over Western Europe.
Madhumita Raut has danced in the major dance festivals in India and in Ireland, England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Morrocco, France, Portugal, Japan, U.S.A. etc. She also teaches Odissi in USA, Holland,Japan and Germany.[2]
She received a number of prestigious awards, namely, Orissa State Ghungur Samman,Utkal Kanya Award, Mahila Shakti Samman, Bharat Nirman Award, Odisha Living Legend Award 2011.
Madhumita Raut wrote "Odissi: What, Why and How: Evolution, Revival and Technique", published by B.R. Rhythms, Delhi in 2007.[3]
Raut has received the following awards: