Nilanjana was initiated
into dance at an early age by the renowned Odissi revivalist Guru
Mayadhar Raut of Delhi. She holds a Diploma in performing arts.
Her solo debut was at an Indian community event at Hartford, Connecticut.
In India, she performed at various youth cultural festivals. For
a few years, she learnt Bharatnatyam from Guru Smt. Vasanti Subramanium
at the Bhatkhande Hindustani Sangeet Mahavidyalaya.
Nilanjana took a brief
hiatus from dance but her passion and quest for learning Odissi
continued.
She further trained
with Guru Smt. Mitra Purkayastha, artistic director of Rhythms of
dance and music, New Jersey. Smt. Mitra being an accomplished dancer-choreographer
herself was able to enhance Nilanjana's dance skills. Her guidance
and encouragement proved a major turning point in Nilanjana's life.
She seeks her Guru's blessings in all her endevours. Nilanjana strictly
adheres to Guru Padmashree Murlidhar Maji's gharana. To get a complete
vision of Indian dance styles, Nilanjana is also training with the
noted choreographer Sukalyan Bhattacharya of Toronto.
Since relocating to
the U.S., Nilanjana has performed extensively in the New Jersey,
Philadelphia, and New York area. Some of the organizations for whom
she has been regularly performing include Festival of India by CIO,
Pragati (Philadelphia), Kallol, ICC, NJPA, NABC 2005 Madison Square
Garden, (Bengali Associations), BridgewaterTemple, Marathi Vishwa,
Oriya society, Wayne, IFMP(Princeton). In 2007, she performed at
the Ekal Vidhyalaya fundraiser attended by the chairman of Zee TV
network. She was a member of Guru Smt. Mitra's first prize winning
team at the prestigious Zalak , 2009 Indian dance festival, Princeton.
In 2009, she performs solo for the Banga Mela in Atlanta.
Her love and devotion
to dance has culminated in her performing and teaching Odissi.
She conducts classes
at the Hindu Samaj temple, Mahwah, New Jersey.
For Nilanjana, Odissi
is undoubtedly an enchanting spiritual journey for both the dancer
and the audience.
For more information
on shows and classes: