Banamali Maharana (16 May 1941 – 17 November 2018) was an Indian percussionist who was famous for playing "Mardala". He was awarded with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004.
Early life and History
Banamali Maharana was born in Raghurajpur in the Puri district. He had an affinity for music from a very young age but didn't receive any formal training. He was attracted to the "Rasaleelaa," performed by Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami and his group. Maharana began playing Khol and Dholak with Deb Goswami. His formal training began after he joined the Annapurna Theatre where he learned percussion from Singhari Shyamsundar Kar and Kshetramohan Kar.[1] His brother, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, accompanied him in most of his dance performances. Maharana started teaching Mardala first at Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack and then at "Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay".[2] 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, Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, Sonal Mansingh, Aruna Mohanty, Sujata Mohapatra etc. in their dance performances in India and abroad.[3]
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