Bidisha Mohanty

🪔 About

Dr. Bidisha Mohanty is a highly accomplished Odissi classical dancer, choreographer, teacher, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Indraadhanush: Center for Excellence. With over 30 years of experience in the Odissi dance form, she has been instrumental in promoting the Guru Dr. Deba Prasad Das gharana across various communities in the USA. Mohanty received her formal training in Odissi under the tutelage of Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir. She earned a bachelor's degree from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in India in 1996, where she was honored with a Gold medal for her proficiency. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Arts in Odissi dance from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, in 1999. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Dr. Mohanty holds an MBA and a Ph.D. degree, and professionally works as a Senior Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo in Product Management. She has been imparting her knowledge of Odissi, semi-classical, and folk dances for over 20 years in India and various locations in the USA, including California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York. As a performing artist in Doordarshan, India, she was a recipient of a scholarship from the Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, India. She is a renowned choreographer and performer, having participated in and choreographed numerous original Odissi and Odia Folk dance compositions for premier cultural events both nationally and internationally, including the Puri Beach festivals, Konark festivals, and Odissi International festivals. Her institution, Indraadhanush: Center for Excellence, located in the Bay Area, is affiliated with Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, serving as an official examination center for Odissi. Awards & Honours: Gold medal for proficiency (Bachelor's degree) (1996), Scholarship, Kalashree award, Pritam Kaur Sondhi award, Award from the International Odissi Dance Festival (2023), Inducted into Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry.