Sixteen years ago, Durga Prasad Das took a decision that few would have dared to make. Although a law graduate, Das chose to devote his entire life in serving Lord Jagannath through his dance.

Das, 33, said he has been performing the traditional Gotipua dance during the rath yatra for the last 12 years. “When the Lord comes out of the temple on a pahandi bije (taken out of the sanctum sanctorum) to ride the chariots, I perform in the procession. I don’t have words to express how it feels,” said Das.

A student of renowned Odissi dancer Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Das has travelled the lengths and breadths of the country to propagate the Gotipua dance and Jagannath culture.

“I have done stage shows in Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai and other places. But the satisfaction that I get from performing before Him is incomparable to any stage performance. In a stage show, you have a director and others to assist you. But when it comes to rath yatra, it is the Lord who guides me. The emotions and expressions come from within,” he said.

Das said people often pass offensive comments and consider this dance form as effeminate, but for him, it is hardly a bother. “Nothing matters to me when I am dancing for the Lord. I have a connection with Him on a higher level. The Lord is known as Purusottam or the best among all men of the universe,” he said, adding he does not take a grain of food until his performance during the procession gets over.

Das got married to Annapurna Das, 24, last year. She supports him wholeheartedly.

“I feel proud of him when he dances before Lord Jagannnath and his siblings. The Lord is our master and he is serving the master. My parents also feel happy seeing their son-in-law’s performance. We have never had any problems because he is associated with Gotipua dance. I was aware of this fact before marrying him,” said Annapurna.

At present, Das trains young boys in Odissi dance. “I earn my livelihood by teaching students in Odissi. God is there to look after me,” the dancer said. For him, the nine-day rath yatra is the best time of the year.

“During this period, I forget everything and remain immersed with the Jagannath bhava (devotion). It was He who carved out this path for me,” he signed off.