DR. SAHANA DAS
An M.A. in English literature from LSR, Delhi University, an M.Phil. from Bombay University, and a doctorate in Film and Natyashastra, Dr. Sahana Das is a student of renowned Padmashree Awardee Guru Mayadhar Raut, with over 25 years of training in Odissi, and an additional 30 years of experience in choreography and direction. After completing her training in Odissi at the Jaganath temple in Delhi, she went on to introduce the style of Odissi at the Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society in Singapore, handling the first Odissi class in the city. There she trained several students, and directed many full-length productions including Neelachal – An Evening of Odissi, Chitrangada, and Tyaga Chinnam. As a senior professor at the Department of Communication Studies in Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, she served as Head of Department and developed coursework and syllabus for the department, she has introduced a paper in Indian Art, which includes hosting an annual Jugalbandi Series at Mount Carmel College, opening students to the opportunity to watch and interact with accomplished classical artists from around the country.
Meghna began her formal training in Odissi under her mother, and guru, Smt. Sahana Das at the Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society in Singapore. Today, Meghna continues to receive training, guidance, and original choreographies from her mother and guru, who is an intrinsic part of Meghna’s dance career.
BIJAYINI SATPATHY
Bijayini Satpathy is a renowned Odissi practitioner, choreographer, teacher, and scholar with decades of accolades to her name. Satpathy cultivated her passion for Odissi early in Orissa and spent 25 years at Nrityagram, where she was a principal dancer, teacher, researcher, and administrator from 1993 to 2018. Her profound understanding of integrated physical conditioning for Odissi, combined with expertise in Yoga, Natyashastra, Kalaripayattu, western techniques, anatomy, and kinesiology, led to her role as Nrityagram's Director of Training and Outreach, elevating the international standing of the school for its distinctive training approach. Satpathy is an invited scholar to the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Residency 2024 to further her research and development of the Odissi training pedagogy. She is also a 2023-24 fellow at the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU, deepening and strengthening her choreographic vocabulary.
Meghna was introduced to Bijayini Didi at the Nrityagram city classes in 2003 where trained under Pavithra Reddy, Bijayini Satpathy, and Surupa Sen between classes in the city of Bangalore, and Nrityagram. After Bijayini Didi began her solo endeavours in 2019, Meghna began a mentorship with her in 2021 and continues to train under her able guidance today.
MADHULITA MOHAPATRA
A student of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Pavitra Kumar Pradhan, and Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Madhulita Mohapatra is a Bangalore-based Odissi performer and teacher and the Artistic Director of the Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts. A recent Bismillah Khan Award winner, an A-grade Doordarshan artiste, and an empaneled artist under the ICCR, she has travelled across India and overseas to perform, teach, and conduct workshops. Her school is now a decade old, and she regularly choreographs original pieces for her ensemble, most recently, a full length show titled “Sathyam Prema Amaram”.
Meghna joined the Nrityantar Dance Ensemble is 2012 and has been a student, faculty member, and ensemble member since. Under Madhulita, whom Meghna considers guru, guide, mentor, and voice of reason, she was able to perform at prestigious festivals, including the Mahari, Mukhteshwar, and Dhauli festivals. Meghna is also Assistant Artistic Director of Nrityantar and runs one branch of classes at her studio in Central Bangalore.