Today we’d like to introduce you to Ipsita Mitra.
Hi Ipsita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Kolkata, India, and started my initial training in Bharatanatyam; Indian Classical Dance from the age of 3.5 years. My learning and training started at “Kalamandalam Kolkata” established in 1968 by Guru Govindan Kutty and Guru Smt. Thankamani Kutty, which is the premier institution in Eastern India for Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam,and Kathakali.
Later on, I have been fortunate enough to work with traditional Bharatanatyam Gurus and adapting to the variety of Bharatanatyam Styles from Kerela Kalamandalam, to Kalakshetra, Chennai, along with the study of Temple architecture, panel studies, Art History and connecting the temple studies to dance studies. In this regard, I have worked as an active researcher and have conducted Dance Education workshops in India and in the U.S.
After moving to the United States, and having pursued a Masters’ Degree in Bharatanatyam, under the guidance of Dr. Karuna Vijayendra, Dr. Padmaja Suresh, and Dr. Sujatha Mohan, I have been an ardent enthusiast in exploring and expanding Bharatanatyam in across the Globe, along with connecting the Theoritical Studies of Dance “Natyashastra” to the Practical Approach of Indian Classical Dance, Bharatanatyam. I am the Founder and Artistic Director of “Srishti Nrityalaya School of Performing Arts.”
My purpose is to bring in the historical significance and scientific relevance to this Traditional form of Bharatanatyam, thus making it more understandable to the future generations. My journey as a Bharatanatyam and Temple Studies; Agamashastra Researcher, thus continues with new knowledge and new areas to explore everyday.
I have been proactively involved with Nrityaseva: offering my dedication to the Supreme at the Karyasiddhi Hanuman Temple, Sri Guruvayurappan Temple, Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, Texas.
I was awarded with the “Natya Pratibha” Award by the Indian Fine Arts Academy (IFAA), in 2025.
I have been mentoring students post Arangetram to pursue further for graduate and post graduate studies in Bharatanatyam.
My School has been recognized as the “Best Performing Arts School” on 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has never been a smooth journey. It takes time, patience and focus to build a credential and take up such a huge challenge.
The first and foremost challenge is to convince people and bring awareness about what is Art History actually and then connecting it to the Dance form. It is a huge challenge to make people understand that, Dance is not about moving and shaking our limbs, but it’s beyond that. Every movement, every gesture has a meaning, a reason and a purpose attached to it. As a Dance Educator, it becomes my innate responsibility to walk my students and parents through that journey of Dance Education, and with that, I am learning to be more calm, patient and focused.
Establishing myself in a mixed society had been little challenging but, I must say, the American society had been that vast ocean where the rivers and streams coming from all the other countries and culture have come and have blended themselves beautifully. In that regard, I have gotten immense support and appreciation from this vibrant and vast society.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance) Artiste. Along with performing, I am also a researcher and educator in Temple Architecture and Studies (Agamashastra) and Ancient Dance Studies (India).
I have been fortunate enough to work with traditional Bharatanatyam Gurus and adapting to the variety of Bharatanatyam Styles from Kerela Kalamandalam, to Kalakshetra, Chennai, along with the study of Temple architecture, panel studies, Art History and connecting the temple studies to dance studies. In this regard, I have worked as an active researcher and have conducted Dance Education workshops in India and in the U.S.
My research spans from the 1st century till early 19th century in Indian Art History and its relation to the Historical Studies of Dance and Music along with the composers and their contributions. Along with that, I am also researching on the Vedic Studies and Shastra Granthas, that provide Scientific and Historical elements to my research work.
After moving to the United States, and having pursued a Masters’ Degree in Bharatanatyam, under the guidance of Dr. Karuna Vijayendra, Dr. Padmaja Suresh, and Dr. Sujatha Mohan, I have been an ardent enthusiast in exploring and expanding Bharatanatyam in across the Globe, along with connecting the Theoritical Studies of Dance “Natyashastra” to the Practical Approach of Indian Classical Dance, Bharatanatyam. I am the Founder and Artistic Director of “Srishti Nrityalaya School of Performing Arts.”
My purpose is to bring in the historical significance and scientific relevance to this Traditional form of Bharatanatyam, thus making it more understandable to the future generations. My journey as a Bharatanatyam and Temple Studies; Agamashastra Researcher, thus continues with new knowledge and new areas to explore everyday.
I have been proactively involved with Nrityaseva: offering my dedication to the Supreme at the Karyasiddhi Hanuman Temple, Sri Guruvayurappan Temple, Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, Texas.
I was awarded with the “Natya Pratibha” Award by the Indian Fine Arts Academy (IFAA), in 2025.
I have been mentoring students post Arangetram to pursue further for graduate and post graduate studies in Bharatanatyam.
My School has been recognized as the “Best Performing Arts School” on 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a Guru or Mentor is essential in our field of Study as it is heavily based on the ancient “Guru Shishya” Parampara, because for the most part, it is based on “Shruti and Smriti”, which means listening and memorizing.
Nowadays, due to the Social platforms, people might think that, they don’t need anyone for guidance, they can learn by watching few videos, but it doesn’t work that way. Learning and understanding Indian Classical Dance requires effort and dedication, and that can only happen when someone who will handhold and guide you from the darkness of the unknown to the light of Knowledge, and that where the Guru’s role becomes indispensable.
My journey started with my Guru, Smt. Thankamani Kutty, who is still guides me in my every step in understanding and exploring my journey. I have come across Dr. Karuna Vijayendra, who has changed my life and shaped it more towards Dance Research and Temple Studies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.srishtinrityalaya.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@srishtinrityalayaschoolofp2943
