A Jewel in the Crown of Odissi: Aparupa Patnaik

Aparupa Patnaik is a highly acclaimed Odissi dancer and anchor hailing from Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, India. Her journey in the world of dance began at the tender age of four under the tutelage of Guru Shri Rabindra Kumar Swain. Aparupa’s passion for dance was further nurtured by Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das, an eminent exponent of the Odissi dance form, and later under the guidance of Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir.

Over the past 24 years, Aparupa has honed her skills as an Odissi dancer and has received numerous accolades for her exceptional performances. She is an A+ graded artist of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, and Prasar Bharati (BCI) Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar.

In addition, Aparupa is a Senior National Scholar of the Centre for Cultural Resources & Training (CCRT), New Delhi, Ministry of Culture. She has been recognized with several awards, including the Rourkela Prativa Puraskar, State Rajiv Gandhi Prativa Puraskar, and the Latika Sundari Ray Gold Medal from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, for her outstanding performance in academics and extracurricular activities.

Aparupa’s achievements in the field of dance are truly remarkable. She was awarded the “Bhaskar” (7th year – a degree equivalent to Masters) by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh University, as the state topper and national runner-up. She is also a gold medallist in PG Sociology and an empanelled expert of UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab.

Aparupa has also served as a member of the expert panel for Indigenous/folk art and culture for the CCRT national scholarship examination, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. She was invited as an adjudicator in the 92nd Kenya Music Festival by the Ministry of Education, Kenya, and was invited by the G-20 International Confluence by UNO & SDG as a youth leader to speak about Innovation & 21st century skills.

Aparupa’s solo dance performances have been projected on the Konark Temple in the Light Show, and she has also anchored for Doordarshan National and Doordarshan Odia, CCRT. She has performed Odissi on many prestigious platforms globally, promoting the rich culture of Odisha to the world.

Aparupa’s exceptional talent has earned her several prestigious titles, including Odissi Shree, Odissi Jyoti, Nrithya Vilasini, and Odissi Ratna. Her dedication and passion for Odissi dance have made her an inspiration for aspiring dancers worldwide.