Puspita Mishra

🪔 About

Puspita Mishra is an eminent Indian classical Odissi dancer, choreographer, and guru, widely recognized for her significant contributions to the art form. Born in 1971 in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, India, she began her journey in Odissi dance at the tender age of three. She received her initial training under the tutelage of the late Guru Padmashree Pankaja Charan Das, considered one of the senior-most gurus of Odissi. Currently, she continues her practice under Guru Sri Niranjan Rout. Mishra holds a Post-graduate degree in Sociology and has earned a Sangeet Visharad in Odissi Dance from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh University. Her dance style is acclaimed for its blend of rhythmic grace, symphony, intricate footwork, elegant karanas and charis, precise hand gestures (mudras), and expressive eyes, often likened to an animated sculpture from the Konark temple. She is an 'A' grade artist of Delhi Doordarshan Kendra, a national public broadcaster, a recognition she received in 1991. In 2001, Puspita Mishra founded Kalingayana Tourya Trikam, an organization dedicated to performing arts in Bhubaneswar. The academy aims to provide traditional education in Odissi dance to new generations and has nurtured numerous dancers over more than two decades. She is also an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and IRCEN, a Trustee and Official Signatory of Sarvodaya International Trust – Odisha Chapter, and a Senior Fellowship recipient from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Mishra has choreographed several pieces, with "Trishakti" being her first, presented at the Puri Beach Festival in 1991. Her performances, including "Ganesh Vandana" and "Shrikhandi," have garnered national acclaim. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Visharad in Odissi Dance, Grade 'A' Artist (1991), Senior Fellowship, Research Scholarship, Mahari Award, Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Samman, Amar Ujjala Vishist Samman, Mahodadhi Maryada Manapatra, Satyabadi Samman, Sreekshetra Mahari Samman, Mother Pratibha Samman, Nrutya Choodamani, Natya Bhairavi, Saras Samman (2025).