Mitali Dev

🪔 About

Mitali Dev is an accomplished Indian classical dancer proficient in both Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Her extensive training 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 nearly two decades of rigorous tutelage under several eminent gurus. Her Odissi training commenced with Sri Ramli Ibrahim at the Sutra Dance Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She further honed her skills under the guidance of Guru Madhavi Mudgal, Smt. Sharmila Biswas at the Odissi Vision and Movement Centre in Kolkata, and at Srjan, Bhubaneswar. At Srjan, she had the rare privilege of learning from the late Padma Vibhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra before his demise, and subsequently from his daughter-in-law, Smt. Sujata Mohapatra. Mitali Dev is also a prime disciple of Guru Jhelum Paranjape and has received training from Ratikant Mohapatra. Throughout her distinguished career, Mitali Dev has graced major dance festivals and venues across the globe, performing in countries such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and notably 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. Residing in Manchester, UK, she actively researches the folk aspects of Odissi, including Mahari, Gotipua, and Chau, to enrich her repertoire. Mitali Dev frequently performs Odissi-Bharatanatyam duets with her husband, Bharatanatyam dancer Raul D'Souza, with whom she co-founded "Temple Bells." She has also taken lead roles in ballets such as 'Leelavati'. Beyond performing, Mitali Dev is a dedicated teacher, offering dance instruction to diverse age groups through programs like "Graceful Legends" for senior citizens, "Inspiring Moms," "Enthusiastic Teens," and "Odissi Champs" for children as young as five. Her commitment to the art form has been lauded by her gurus, with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra commending her dedication and artistry. She and her husband are proud parents to two daughters, Diya and Risa, who are also pursuing dance.