Odissi Dancer
Performing Arts Mentor
Festival Curator
Odissi dancer and cultural practitioner with over two decades of rigorous training and professional practice. A senior disciple of Guru Dr. Binayak Panda, Ankita is deeply rooted in the Debaprasad Das style of Odissi and is committed to its propagation through performance, pedagogy, and curation
Notable Achievements
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Performer, art educator, mentor and compere
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Empaneled Grade Artist of the Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi
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Curated 39 festivals of Indian dance & music as Assistant Festival Director at Debadhara
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UGC-NET in Performing Arts
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Amongst Asia’s Top 100 Influential Women 2024
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K. Rangnath Dattatraye Award for 1st position in Visharad Poorna Exam in Odissi (graduation) at Pan India level
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Awarded the Remarkable Youngest Artist of the Year 2024
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Invited to adjudge competitions at district, zonal and university levels
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Cultural Brand Ambassador by Women International Network
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Alankar Pratham from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai
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Senior Diploma in Odissi dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti
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Conducted various lecture demonstrations and workshops
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Awards & scholarships for outstanding academic achievements and extra-curricular activities
Collaborations & performances
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Odissi dance faculty at Debadhara, Delhi
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Leads dance based skill program for the St. Stephan's Community Health Centre
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Collaborated with Indian Cultural Centre, High Commission of Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively
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Performed at Largest Odissi Dance event for ​Guinness Book of World Records (Largest Odissi Dance), World Culture Festival, Taj Mahotsav-Agra, SPIC MACAY-Uttarakhand, Republic Day (Tableau of Odisha), North- East Festival, Chakradhar Samaroh, National Women Excellence Award, Khabrein Abhi Tak (Launching Ceremony), Uttarardh Mahotsav, International Odissi Dance Festival, 9th International Chausathi Yogini Mahotsav, Gopalpur Beach Festival, North-East Cultural Festival, Shradhanjali Samaroh, Debadhara Festivals, etc.
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Collaborations with organizations to initiate dialogue on art based well being practices
Debadhara's Team Lead and coordinator for the Odissi segment at 77th Republic Day Parade 2026. The cultural segment included more than 2500 classical, folk and tribal dancers. Conceptualized by Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ministry of Culture, the dance celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram. Music composed by Shri M.M. Keervani (Oscar awardee)
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Also led the team for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas held in Gujarat, presided by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
