Aparupa Patnaik is a highly acclaimed Odissi dancer and anchor from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, whose artistic brilliance is matched only by her passion for sustainability. With a career spanning over two decades, Aparupa has earned a reputation not only as a classical dancer but also as a visionary environmental advocate and cultural ambassador.
Early Life and Training in Odissi
Aparupa began her dance journey at the tender age of four under the guidance of Guru Shri Rabindra Kumar Swain. She further trained under the legendary Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das and Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir, refining her mastery of the Odissi dance form. Her early start and years of dedication laid a strong foundation for what would become an illustrious career.
Recognitions and Awards
Over the years, Aparupa has earned multiple accolades and titles that celebrate her contribution to Indian classical dance. She is an A+ graded artist of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar. She is also a Senior National Scholar with the Centre for Cultural Resources & Training (CCRT), New Delhi.
Her awards include:
- Rourkela Prativa Puraskar
- State Rajiv Gandhi Prativa Puraskar
- Latika Sundari Ray Gold Medal from Utkal University
- Prestigious titles such as Odissi Shree, Odissi Jyoti, Nrithya Vilasini, and Odissi Ratna
She was also awarded the “Bhaskar” (7th year) degree by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, emerging as the state topper and national runner-up.
Academic Excellence and Global Representation
Apart from being an exceptional performer, Aparupa is a gold medalist in Postgraduate Sociology. Her accidental admission into Sociology became a defining moment, enriching her perspectives and allowing her to bridge the gap between social sciences and the arts. She has presented papers at the World Sociology Congress and served on expert panels for national scholarship evaluations in folk and indigenous arts.
She has represented India globally, serving as an adjudicator at the 92nd Kenya Music Festival and speaking at the G-20 International Confluence by the United Nations and SDG as a youth leader.
Environmental Advocacy Through Art
Aparupa’s contribution to sustainability is pioneering. Her environmental journey began with her research on the tahia, a traditional Odissi headgear made from the eco-friendly shola plant. As climate change and deforestation threatened this tradition, Aparupa began working on shola conservation and eco-friendly alternatives for traditional costumes, preventing a shift toward plastic-based substitutes.
In recognition of her environmental leadership, she was selected as a beVisioneers – Mercedes-Benz Fellow, where she collaborates with global leaders to promote climate-positive initiatives, integrating art with ecological responsibility.
Major Performances and Media Appearances
Aparupa has performed Odissi across prestigious platforms both in India and internationally. Her solo dances were featured in the Konark Temple Light Show, and she has anchored for Doordarshan National and Doordarshan Odia. Her role as Deputy Director at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences adds further dimension to her multifaceted career.
Legacy and Inspiration
Aparupa Patnaik is a role model for young artists, proving that classical arts can be powerful tools for social change and environmental awareness. Her journey from an Odissi prodigy to an environmental changemaker reflects the transformative power of art when aligned with purpose and vision.