Pujita Krishna Jyoti

🪔 About

Pujita Krishna Jyoti, also known as Pujita Krishna, is an accomplished Indian classical dancer specializing in Kuchipudi and Vilasini Natyam, a choreographer, writer, and educator based in Hyderabad, India. She received her Kuchipudi training under the tutelage of Dr. Anupama Kylash and Dr. Vedantam Ramalingam Shastry. Additionally, she is a disciple of Padmabhushan Swapnasundari for Vilasini Natyam, a rare dance form of Andhra Pradesh that she actively helps revive. Her diverse dance background also includes brief studies in Bharata Natyam, Kathak, and Odissi. Pujita Krishna holds an MFA in dance from the University of California, Irvine, where she had the privilege of studying choreography for stage under the direct guidance of Donald McKayle, a notable figure in modern dance. Her training extends beyond Indian classical forms to include Horton and Paul Taylor modern dance techniques, Jazz (Broadway school of Jazz and Mad Maddox styles), Flamenco, Afro-Brazilian, Argentinian Tango, Swing, Waltz, and Salsa. As a performer, Pujita Krishna is a Doordarshan graded artist and a SPICMACAY empaneled artist. Her key Kuchipudi performances have graced prestigious venues such as Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore, Padavali, Anubhav Images of the Arts, and 'Krishnam vande Jagatgurum' in Hyderabad, 'Natavesha Krishna' in Kuchipudi village, and 'Vishwam Narayanam' in Tirupati. Beyond performing, Pujita Krishna is dedicated to dance education. She taught Kuchipudi as a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine, and currently runs her own studio in Sainikpuri, Hyderabad, where she imparts training in Kuchipudi, Jazz, Salsa, and Modern dance. She also regularly conducts workshops in dance and creative movement. She is the founder of the Feet on Earth dance studio and organized 'The Feet on Earth Festival' in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) to promote Indian classical dance. An active writer, Pujita Krishna's MFA thesis, "Revival of Vilasini Natyam at the Ranganathaswamy Temple, Hyderabad," has been published by Proquest. She contributes regularly on dance to "The Hindu" and is the author of the novella "Smitten" (2018) and the children's book "The Adventures of a Gutsy Explorer." Awards & Honours: IIDF Award for Vilasini Natyam (2016), Ugadi Puraskar for Dance (Dhanwantri Foundation, Hyderabad) (2014), Yuva Ratna Kala Award by Manjeera Kuchipudi Art Academy, Guntur (2015), Kamrupa Award by Manjuri Dance Academy, Guwahati (2014), 'Best Performer' award by Parthasarthy Swamy Sabha, Chennai (2013), Nritya Shiromani by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangh, Cuttack (2013), Junior Fellowship (Ministry of Culture) (2014), Medici Scholarship, University of California (2009), Study grant by the Center for Asian Studies, University of California (2010).