Mitali Dev

🪔 About

Mitali Dev is an accomplished Indian classical dancer, proficient in both Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Her journey in classical dance began at the tender age of five with Bharatanatyam, culminating in her Arangetram at twelve. At sixteen, she discovered her passion for Odissi, embarking on extensive training under several eminent gurus. Her Odissi tutelage commenced with Sri Ramli Ibrahim at the Sutra Dance Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, her hometown. She further honed her skills under the guidance of Guru Madhavi Mudgal and Smt Sharmila Biswas at the Odissi Vision and Movement Centre in Kolkata. A significant part of her training was at Srjan, Bhubaneswar, initially under the late Padma Vibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, and subsequently under his daughter-in-law, Smt Sujata Mohapatra. Mitali Dev was also a prime disciple of Guru Jhelum Paranjape, who choreographed the ballet 'Leelavati' in which Mitali essayed the lead role. She also trained under Ratikant Mohapatra. Throughout her distinguished career, Mitali Dev has performed at major dance festivals and venues across the globe, including Australia, the UK, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and was notably invited to dance at the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. She is a founder member of the North West Dance Alliance in the UK and serves as the artistic director of Nritya Kunj, an Indian classical dance ensemble dedicated to promoting Odissi in the UK. Mitali, who resides in Manchester, is married to Bharatanatyam dancer Raul D'Souza, and together they form 'Temple Bells,' a duet that blends their distinct dance styles. She also facilitates dance classes for various age groups, including 'Graceful Legends' for senior citizens and 'Odissi Champs' for young students.