32+
Years of Experience
1
Followers
About
Ileana Citaristi is an acclaimed Italian-born Odissi and Chhau dancer, instructor, choreographer, and author, primarily based in Bhubaneswar, India. Born in Bergamo, Italy, she initially pursued a career in traditional and experimental theatre in Europe. Her quest for a profound form of body language led her to India in 1978, where she first undertook a…
Journey Timeline
1978
Arrived in India, began Kathakali training — Spent three months learning Kathakali in Kerala under Guru Krishnan Namboodari.
1979
Moved to Odisha, began Odissi training — Began studying Odissi under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and made Odisha her home.
1981
First solo Odissi performance — Performed her first full solo with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra on pakhavaj.
1985
Choreographed 'Echo and Narcissus' — A Mayurbhanj Chhau production based on Greek myth, premiered at East-West Dance Encounter in Bombay.
1992
Received 'Leonide Massine for the Art of Dance' award — Awarded in Italy.
1993
Premiered Odissi ballet 'Maya Darpan' — Premiered at Nehru Center in Bombay.
1994
Started her own dance school
1996
Founded Art Vision — An academy for interdisciplinary artistic exchange in Bhubaneswar.
1996
Received National Film Award for Best Choreography — For her work in Aparna Sen's Bengali film 'Yugant'.
2001
Published 'The Making of a Guru' — A book on the life and times of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
2003
Choreographed for M.F. Husain's 'Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities'
2006
Conferred Padma Shri — Became the first dancer of foreign origin to receive this award for contributions to Odissi.
2008
Received 'Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity' — Awarded by the Italian government.
2012
Published 'Traditional Martial Practices in Odisha'
2015
Released autobiography 'My Journey, a Tale of Two Births'
2022
Published 'Odissi and the Geeta Govinda'
Photo Gallery
Photos will appear here.
Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 1992 · Leonide Massine for the Art of Dance — Italy
- 1994 · Raseshwar Award — Sur Singar Sansad, Mumbai
- 1995 · Cine Critic Association Award — Calcutta
- 1996 · National Film Award for Best Choreography — Government of India (for film Yugant)
- 1997 · All India Cine Critic Association Award
- 2005 · Prananath Patnaik Award — Bhubaneswar
- 2006 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- 2006 · Sanskiti Siromani — Mumbai
- 2007 · Desharatna — Bharati Foundation Trust, Bhubaneswar
- 2007 · Lalithakala award — Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation, Mysore
- 2008 · Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity (OSSI) — President of Italy
- 2009 · Pandit Jasraj Award for Cross Cultural Understanding — Rotary Club, Hyderabad
- 2012 · Odisha Women Leadership award — Odisha Yuve Sanskrutik Sansad, Bhubaneswar
- 2014 · Showcase Odisha — Prelude, Bhubaneswar
- 2016 · NALCO Kharavela Award — NALCO, Bhubaneswar
Media Coverage
Press features and interviews will appear here.
Students
No students linked yet.
Testimonials
Student & peer testimonials will appear here.
Upcoming Workshops
No workshops scheduled yet.
Compiled from public sources and/or self-reported by the artist — not independently verified by NatyaNetwork. Is this you? Claim this profile to manage or correct it. See our Terms.