NRITYAM Odissi Dance Center

Director / Principal

NEELADYUTI CHAUDHURY

Indian Classical Dancer | Odissi Dance Exponent| Teacher & Choreographer| Research Scholar

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ph.D. in Odissi Dance – Sri Sri University, Cuttack (Currently pursuing under Guru Ratikanta Mahapatra) 
  • MPA in Odissi Dance – Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha
  • M.A. in Odissi Dance – Pracheen Kalakendra, Chandigarh
  • B.Tech in Food Technology – West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT)

WHERE WORDS FAIL, HER DANCE SPEAKS

Ms.Neeladyuti Chaudhury, Founder & Principal of NRITYAM Odissi Dance Centre, has lived and breathed dance since her earliest years. Born into a deeply artistic and culturally enriched environment, her journey in Odissi began under the loving guidance of her mother, Smt. Lipi Chaudhury. From an early age, this nurturing influence shaped her sensitivity towards art and aesthetics, allowing her relationship with the graceful vocabulary of Odissi to blossom into a lifelong devotion.

Alongside this, she was guided by her father, Sri Nabarun Chaudhury, who instilled in her the disciplines of life, values, and management skills from her childhood days. Growing up in a home where study, disciplined dance practice, and cultural activities coexisted harmoniously, she was naturally immersed in an atmosphere that celebrated learning and creativity. This environment became the foundation of her artistic and personal growth.

With over three decades of rigorous training, she has emerged as a distinguished artiste—deeply rooted in strong technique, spiritually connected to the essence of Odissi, and passionately committed to the preservation and propagation of India’s rich cultural heritage.

AN EXEMPLARY JOURNEY OF PASSION & PURPOSE

Ms.Chaudhury’s career is a rare blend of discipline, dedication, and determination. A B.Tech engineer by qualification, she served as a software professional in Bangalore for four years before answering her true calling. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Odissi Dance, and in 2013, she transformed her passion into reality by founding NRITYAM ODISSI DANCE CENTRE.

With her relentless efforts, NRITYAM grew into a recognised institution of classical excellence. A significant milestone came when NRITYAM expanded internationally, setting up its first overseas branch in Pai, Thailand.

Ms. Chaudhury is an active member of SrjanChhanda, Kolkata chapter, till date, under the guidance of her Guru Rajib Bhattacharya. She was also associated with the Nrityantar Academy of Odissi Dance, Bangalore, under the able mentorship of Guru Madhulita Mahapatra, beginning in 2012—continuing her journey of learning, teaching, and artistic exchange.

Her teaching journey began in Bangalore. Deeply inspired by Madhulita Mahapatra, who was a motherly presence during her Bangalore years, she started teaching at Nrityantar, Koramangala branch. It was there that she discovered the true joy of teaching—developing a deep love for nurturing young minds and shaping their artistic sensibilities through Odissi dance.

HER TRAINING & ARTISTIC EVOLUTION

Neeladyuti’s initiation into dance began with Kathak, under the guidance of her mother. However, her soul gravitated toward Odissi, which she began learning at the age of four from Smt. Dipannita Roy. Her journey flourished under the profound influence of Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, who’s intensive training programmes shaped her foundational years.

Her Odissi training continued under a lineage of distinguished mentors:

  • Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra – early intensive training and master classes from 1998
  • Guru Poushali Mukherjee – eight years of in-depth grooming from Year 1999
  • Guru Shri Ratikanta Mahapatra & Smt Rajyashree Praharaj– advanced training in Bhubaneswar(at Srjan) & Kolkata
  • Smt. Sujata Mahapatra – formal initial training programmes in Kolkata & Bangalore since 1998
  • Guru Shri Rajib Bhattacharya – from 2003 to the present, refining technique, abhinaya, and repertoire

In addition to dance, she has enriched her understanding of Sanskrit texts, Odishan culture, Hindu philosophy, and classical treatises under the mentorship of Shri Rahul Acharya. Her accolades include receiving the National Scholarship in Creative Dance from Sarbabharatiya Sangeet-o-Sanskriti Parishad and being conferred the title “OdissiJyoti” by DevdasiNrutyaMandir, Bhubaneswar (2011).

A VIBRANT PERFORMER & A DEDICATED GURU

Neeladyuti has performed extensively across India and actively participates in prestigious choreographic works led by her Guru Sri Rajib Bhattacharya, including:

* Hey MorDevota * Tridhara * Rabi Kore Vivekjyoti

She is also associated with Srijan Chhanda, Kolkata, for regular training, workshops, and major productions. Her contributions extend to academia—teaching Odissi, Yoga, Dance Anthropology, and Research Skills at reputed educational institutions. As a trainer for the National Cadet Corps (NCC), she has mentored young aspirants through regular sessions and choreographic work.

Her Artistic Evolution: A Path of Devotion, Discipline & Discovery

From her earliest years in Odissi, Neeladyuti’s artistic journey has been deeply intertwined with the Srjan legacy. Her foundation was shaped under the divine shadow of Padmabibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, whose early guidance ignited in her a lifelong devotion to the form. Her formal training in the core grammar of Odissi—

Chaukaand Tribhangi—was received directly from none other than Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, whose precision and grace left a lasting imprint on her technique.

As the years passed, her thirst for knowledge only deepened. She felt a strong inner calling to explore Odissi not just as a performance art but as a complete philosophical system. Blessed with the opportunity to learn under Shri Rahul Acharya, she immersed herself in the study of shastras, Sanskrit literature, classical treatises, and the spiritual essence of the dance. She actively attended webinars, seminars, and academic sessions—constantly expanding her understanding of the form’s cultural and metaphysical foundations.

Her quest for excellence led her to further training under Guru Shri Ratikanta Mahapatra, whose guidance refined her artistry and broadened her interpretative depth. Under his mentorship, Neeladyuti completed her Master’s in Performing Arts (Odissi) in 2023 from Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha.

In her academic and artistic evolution, destiny continued to bless her path. She has recently begun her Ph.D. coursework, guided jointly by Guru Shri Ratikanta Mahapatra and Shri Rahul Acharya, marking yet another milestone in her dedicated pursuit of Odissi’s artistic, historical, and philosophical dimensions.

THE HEART OF NRITYAM – HER TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

For Neeladyuti, teaching is not merely a profession—it is a sacred offering, a purpose, and the purest expression of her devotion to Odissi. Through NRITYAM, she honours the timeless legacy of the Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra Gharana, nurturing every student with discipline, compassion, and artistic integrity. Her training process is holistic, thoughtful, and rooted in tradition, ensuring that each dancer grows not only in technique but also in character and understanding.

Her teaching methodology weaves together:

• Strong foundational technique

Students begin with the core grammar of Odissi—Chauka, Tribhangi, Bhangis, Batu elements, footwork precision, torso mobility, and rhythmic clarity. Every session focuses on alignment, balance, stamina, and the internalisation of movement vocabulary.

• Expressive Abhinaya training

Neeladyuti guides students to explore emotions, storytelling, subtle expressions, and character portrayal. Through mood-building exercises, mirror work, and guided interpretations, she helps them connect deeply with the narrative essence of Odissi.

• Yoga, fitness & posture refinement

She incorporates structured sequences of:
– Yoga asanas for flexibility and strength
– Core conditioning for stability
– Breathwork& pranayama for control and grace
– Postural correction techniques to achieve the sculptural lines Odissi is known for

Her focus is on building a dancer who is physically resilient, graceful, and injury-free.

• Storytelling & creativity for young learners

For children, training is made joyful and imaginative. Using tales from mythology, rhythmic games, creative movement tasks, and simple interpretative exercises, she sparks curiosity while laying the foundation for discipline and expressiveness.

• Theoretical understanding of Odissi’s cultural roots

 

Students are exposed to:

– the history of Odissi
– Shastra-based principles
– temple sculptures, iconography & devotional literature
– musicality, taal structure, and vocabulary

This ensures that they understand why they dance, not just how they dance.

She conducts biannual workshops, intensive masterclasses, and lecture-demonstrations to broaden students’ exposure. She also choreographs for competitions, festivals, and cultural productions, guiding students through the entire creative process—from technique to stage presence.Her innovative, research-driven, and compassionate teaching approach ensures that every student of NRITYAM remains engaged, inspired, confident, and future-ready, while staying rooted in the classical purity and dignity of the Odissi tradition.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE IN ODISSI

  • Began dance journey with Kathak, initially trained by mother, a professional Kathak dancer.
  • Over 35 years of advanced training and performance experience in Odissi Dance.
  • Started Odissi training in 1994 under Smt. Dipannita Roy.
  • Attended Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra workshop in 1998, shaping early Odissi foundation.
  • Trained intensively for 8 years (1999–2007) under Guru Poushali Mukherjee.
  • Awarded National Scholarship in Creative Dance – Sarbabharatiya Sangeet-o Sanskriti Parishad, Kolkata.
  • Continued advanced training under Guru Ratikanta Mahapatra (2011 onwards) across Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.
  • Trained under Smt. Sujata Mahapatra in consecutive workshops in 2012, Bangalore.
  • Joined Nrityantar, Bangalore as Odissi trainer under Smt. Madhulita Mahapatra, learning Sri Gangadhar Pradhan style.
  • Currently training under Guru Sri Rajib Bhattacharya, Kolkata
  • Regular performer and trainee at Srijan Chhanda, Kolkata.
  • Started Shastra & Sahitya training under Sri Rahul Acharya from 2020 till date.
  • Completed advanced training under Guru Ratikanta Mahapatra and Smt. Rajyashree Praharaj; earned MPA in Odissi Dance from Sri Sri University.
  • Honoured “OdissiJyoti” – Devdasi Nrutya Mandir, Bhubaneswar, Naveen Kalakar Odissi Utsav, 2011.

ACHIEVEMENTS / CERTIFICATIONS

  • 1st Position, Sur Taal Dance Competition (Odissi Classical) – ZEE Bangla, 2003
  • Scholarship Holder, Creative Dance – SarbabharatiyaSangeet-o-SanskritiParishad, Kolkata
  • 3rd Position, Odissi Dance – Calcutta Festival, Sanskriti-Kala-Sangam, Kolkata
  • 1st Position, Odissi Dance – SanjuktaPanigrahi Memorial Dance Competition, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture, Kolkata, 2010
  • OdissiJyoti – DevdasiNrutyaMandir, Naveen KalakarOdissiUtsav, Bhubaneswar, 2011
  • Certified Performer – World Dance Day, Shrishti Centre, Bangalore, 2012
  • Certified Performer – Premier Dance Festival, Nrityantar 2012, Bangalore
  • Nrutya Bhushan – Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, 2008–09
  • Nrutya Visharad – Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, 2014–15
  • Bhashkar – Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, 2015–16
  • Nritya Suravi Samman, 2018,Kolkata in Odissi Dance
  • Rasa Vilas Jyoti Samman, 2019
  • Kamakshi Kameshwari Samman in Odissi Dance, 2019 ,Guwahati
  • Padmavati Rashtriya YuvaPratibha Puraskar in Odissi Dance – Sri Jaydev Rashtriya Samaroh, Bhubaneswar, 2019
  • Awarded for securing 2nd position in ODISSI dance from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh 2017 (north-east and eastern and northern zone)

In the voice of Neeladyuti herself :

“Reflection is an important part of the learning process. As a young teacher, in my enthusiasm to take care of my students, I have found myself trying to do everything for them while trying to facilitate all the learning within the sphere of the dance class. In the past years, I have taught for long hours, ensured class several days a week, included and made compulsory all appending subjects like theory, tala, yoga and strength training with the honest intention of giving my students all that I couldn’t have when I needed it most.  I have reflected on this process and have realised that I underestimated the time that a student needs to spend alone in reflection. I cannot take care of all of it. It is important to have the interest and ability to practise and spend time alone with what you have learned. Only then will you assimilate properly. Students also rely heavily on teachers to make everything happen. It must come from within at some point. This doesn’t apply to children below the age of twelve. But once you are beyond that age, the coaxing and convincing from both parents and teachers must be withdrawn in order to establish true inclination and interest.

I learned most things about dance only through practice and reflection. It has helped me revisit what it is to be a teacher….

As an artist it is important to embrace newness in everyday life. We cannot become accustomed to anything…..performances, projects, students, funding, support, adoration, criticism are all equally ephemeral. It is important to live each day as fully and meaningfully as possible. For Nrityam, that is through dance. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?

It is not about being pessimistic or envisioning the worst. We the members of Nrityam  have just begun to realise that good things will pass, and so will the bad. As performers, it is very evident in our everyday life. There is no routine or constant other than our art itself. Our only aim is to surrender to Lord Jagannath and offer homage through this beautiful dance form.

Jai Jagannath