Mitra Purkayastha

🪔 About

Mitra Purkayastha is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer, primarily known for her expertise in Odissi. Hailing from a family of musicians and artists in Kolkata, she began her classical vocal music training under her parents, Sunirmal and Sandhya Purkayastha, and later studied Rabindra Sangeet with Guru Deborah Biswas and Smt. Maya Sen. Her extensive Odissi training commenced with Guru Padmasri Murlidhar Majhi, under whom she continues to seek guidance. Beyond Odissi, Purkayastha has also trained in Manipuri with Guru Khelendra Mukherjee and in Kathak and Bharatnatyam with Guru Shantinarayan Bose. Purkayastha has had a notable performing career, including serving as a principal dancer in the late Manjusri Chaki Sirkar's Dancers Guild, a troupe specializing in creative contemporary choreography. She holds several dance degrees, including Sangeet Prabharak, Sangeet Visharad, and Sangeet Sudharak. Her teaching career began in the United States in 1979, with classes conducted in Houston and Minnesota before she settled in New Jersey. In 1986, she founded her acclaimed dance school, Rhythms of Dance and Music (RDM), in Morristown, New Jersey, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007. Purkayastha is dedicated to the Guru-Shishya parampara and employs the Japanese Suzuki model in her teaching, encouraging early beginnings and parental participation. Her commitment to spreading Odissi has earned her significant recognition, including the "Nrityangana Award" in 2015 and a "Lifetime Achievement" honor in 2017. In April 2025, she was recognized by the NYNJPA Chapter of OSA for her contributions to promoting Odissi and was inducted into the Rutgers Oral Archives for 2025-2026. Awards & Honours: First Prize, Zalak Dance Festival (2009), Nrityangana Award (2015), Lifetime Achievement (2017), Recognition from NYNJPA Chapter (2025).