Surupa Sen (Choreographer, Sound Designer, Soloist) was the first student to graduate from Nrityagram. She began her Odissi training with the architect of Odissi, Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. She also learned Odissi with Guru Protima Gauri, Guru Ratikant Mahapatra, and Guru Bichitranandan Swain. She studied Abhinaya with Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan and the Natyashastra under the supervision of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam.

For over two decades, Sen has researched and expanded the dance vocabulary of Odissi, and developed an aesthetic style that distinguishes the dancers from the Nrityagram Gurukula. Attracted to choreography from childhood, Sen has focused on making new dances using an expanded Odissi language, rooted in traditional Odissi and the Natyashastra. She has a keen interest in music and rhythm composition and has worked closely with Pt. Raghunath Panigrahi since 1999.

Sen has choreographed eight full-length ensemble shows for Nrityagram: Śrī: In Search of the Goddess (2001), Ansh (2005), Sacred Space (2005), Pratimā: Reflection (2008), Śriyaḥ (2010), Saṃhāra (2012), Āhuti (2019), and Āhuti Relived (2022); three full-length duet shows: Saṃyoga (2012), Songs of Love and Longing (2013), and Aṅgahāraḥ (2025); three full-length solo shows: Yadunandana (2017), Vinati: Songs from the Gita Govinda (2021), and Madhuragati (2024); two virtual shows: Vinati, a solo for World Music Institute’s Dancing the Gods Festival, and Upadāna: An offering for the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival; and numerous dance pieces.

She received the Raza Foundation Award in 2006, the Yagnaraman Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 2008, the prestigious Nritya Choodamani from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 2011, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2018.

Sen is artistic director and choreographer at Nrityagram.

Pavithra Reddy (Dancer) lives at a neighboring farm and started her Odissi training in Nrityagram’s rural outreach program in 1990. She was the first student to graduate from Nrityagram’s rural outreach program. She learned Odissi under the tutelage of Surupa Sen and has worked with dancers and movement specialists from across the globe. Reddy joined the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble 1993 and has performed solo and with the Ensemble at some of the most prestigious venues across India and the world. In addition to being a full-time performer, Reddy teaches in Nrityagram’s residential and outreach programs and is the director of outreach activities.

Anoushka Rahman (Dancer) started her Odissi journey with Smt. Dona Ganguly in Kolkata and first visited Nrityagram for a Summer Workshop in 2018. She then continued her advanced training with Surupa Sen and Pavithra Reddy. Recognized for her talent and dedication, she was awarded the Virendra Kumar Laroia Fellowship. She has performed with the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble across India, the US, Canada, and Sri Lanka and was presented in a solo debut performance in November 2024. Rahman holds a Sangeet Bhaskar in Odissi dance and a postgraduate degree in Mathematics. At present, she is a dancer with the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble.

Daquil Miriyala (Dancer) joined Nrityagram’s Village Outreach Program in 2010 and became a residential student in 2011, where she trained in dance while continuing her academic studies. She has learned Odissi under the tutelage of Gurus Surupa Sen and Pavithra Reddy. Since 2021 Miriyala has performed with the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble across India, the US, Canada, and Sri Lanka.

Namaha Mazoomdar (Dancer) is a professional dancer and trainer, a theater director, and a storyteller. Her Odissi dance journey began under the tutelage of Guru Daksha Mashruwala in Mumbai. Since 2013 she has worked as a freelance dancer with dance companies in India and Singapore and has performed across India, Singapore, Australia, and Indonesia. She is also a qualified professional actor with a diploma from the Intercultural Theatre Institute, Singapore. She started training with Nrityagram in 2022 and joined the Ensemble in 2024.

Jatin Sahu (Lead Vocal, Harmonium) learned Odissi singing under the tutelage of Guru Ramahari Das at the Music College, Odisha. He lives in Mumbai and has worked with Nrityagram since 2008. He is also a concert singer.

Rohan Dahale (Mardala, Percussion) began his training with Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra and has continued to learn from Guru Banamali Maharana for the past 12 years. He lives in Mumbai and accompanies Odissi dancers from the region. At present, he is percussionist at the dance village and travels and performs with the Ensemble.

Parshuram Das (Bamboo Flute) is a disciple of Pt. Mohini Mohan Pattnaik. He graduated from the Music College, Odisha, and in addition to freelancing as a music accompanist, he teaches at Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar. He has been with the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble since 2002.

Siba Nayak (Violin) has a postgraduate degree in Hindustani violin from the Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar. He freelances as a music accompanist and has worked with the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble since 2018.

Lynne Fernandez (Lighting Designer, Technical Director) has worked as an actress and light designer with many notable directors including Barry John, Joy Michael, Ranjit Kapoor, and Lillete Dubey and was one of the first professional lighting designers in India. Her theater work has been presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in the West End and off-Broadway. She came to Nrityagram in 1993 as production and technical consultant to the newly founded Ensemble and stayed on as technical director. In 1997 she was appointed executive director of the Nrityagram Village, School and Ensemble. As executive director, she is responsible for administration, fundraising, and project development. Her recent projects include Kula, a residence where arts practitioners can live and create new work. She is presently working on building a performing arts center comprising a theater, an exhibition space, and rehearsal studios. She has also overseen the emergence of the Ensemble on to the international arena.