Krushna Kumar Das performs Gotipua in Puri on Thursday. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Krushna Kumar Das knows no love greater than the love for Lord Jagannath. And this is why he did not think twice before downing the shutters on his business and serving the Lord through dance.

Life took a dramatic turn 14 years ago when Das, 32, a resident of Puri, saw Gotipua dancers performing before the Lord on rath yatra and was overwhelmed by the sight. “Something powerful struck me. At that very moment, I decided to serve God through dance,” he said.

Ever since, he has been performing the traditional bhaktirata dance (a mix of all classical dance forms, including Odissi) during rath yatra. “When the Lord comes out of the temple and is placed atop the chariots, I perform in the procession. I don’t have words to describe my feelings,” said Das.

A student of renowned Odissi dancer Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Narayan Pande, Das has performed in several parts of the country and even abroad to propagate Odissi and Jagannath culture.

“I have given stage performances in China, Delhi, Mumbai and other places. But when I perform before Him, I feel a strong connection with Lord Jagannath. There is no relationship holier or more beautiful than this,” he said.

Das was among four others from Odisha who travelled to China last September along Union minister Ajay Maken and performed there.

He said he had often faced ridicule for taking up Gotipua dance, but he seldom took it to heart. “I try not to let such things bother me. Only people who have loved Lord Jagannath with a pure heart will understand my sentiments,” he added.

Das, who got married last year to Sumitra, 26, said his strength comes from the support of his wife and family members. “When I get dressed up a performance, she has a reassuring look on her face which tells me how much she believes in me. My in-laws also respect what I do,” he said.

He has set up a dance school in memory of his late grandmother Krushna Mani Debi and 85 students are enrolled in it. “My grandmother had acted in a number of Odia films, including Mala Janha. She was my biggest inspiration,” he said. He earns around Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 every month, he said.

“It is enough to lead a decent life in Puri. God has given me everything. I don’t want anything more other than His grace,” he said.