Miki Nonaka

🪔 About

Miki Nonaka is a renowned Odissi artiste from Kyoto, Japan, with a career spanning over three decades. She graduated from the Kyoto Saga University of Arts, majoring in Nihonga painting, and initially worked as a textile designer. Her journey into Indian classical dance began with eight years of learning yoga and Bharatanatyam basics at the Vasant Mala Indian Dance Institute. In 1988, she was captivated by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra's Odissi recital in Tokyo. This led her to move to India in 1990, where she commenced formal Odissi training with Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena at Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi in September 1990. Nonaka quickly gained recognition, performing at the Videshi Kalakar Utsav in 1991, an event organized by Sharon Lowen to promote non-Indian practitioners of Indian classical arts. She was the first Japanese artist to perform at this annual event. She continued her rigorous training with Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena until his passing in 2016. In 2014, Nonaka founded the India Arts Sangam in Kyoto, an institution instrumental in fostering Indian classical arts in Japan and impacting a generation of dancers. She also teaches 'Rhythmic Dance Expression' at Osaka Health and Welfare Junior College, having previously taught at National Nara Women's University. Nonaka has presented Odissi recitals at venerated venues such as the Ise Jingu Shrine and the Todaiji Temple.