Our Institution
INDRAADHANUSH: CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE is a premier institution in the Bay Area, specializing in Odissi, Semi-classical and Folk dances. The motivation towards Indraadhanush has been to popularize the ‘Deba Prasad Das gharana' of Odissi dance (an Indian Classical Dance form) and various Folk dances of India in the USA including the Indian diaspora via performances, workshops and lecture demonstrations. Dr. Bidisha Mohanty is the Founder & Artistic Director of “Indraadhanush- Center for Excellence” (http://www.indraadhanush.com/) where she teaches kids & adults of all backgrounds about the intricacies of Odissi dance, thereby instilling in them a deep appreciation for the art form and its cultural significance. Our mission is to bring the beauty of Odissi to students around the world. Our classes are designed to help students achieve their highest level of excellence.
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Indraadhanush is affiliated with Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh as an official examination center, and each year Indraadhanush students given official Odissi exams under this organization. Four of Bidisha's senior students have already completed their Odissi Mancha Prabesh (graduation ceremony for ascending the stage) and many more are waiting in the wings.
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We offer classes both online and in-person for all ages and levels. We also host international workshops, productions, and seminars, which are open to all. We invite you to join us on our journey of preserving and promoting Odissi worldwide.
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Bidisha also conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations for propagating Odissi and has been quite successful in inculcating a sense of commitment within its disciples. Assisting Bidisha in her endeavors, are her daughter Shreyaa and Shylaa Karan, who are both Creative Directors and Assistant Instructors for this institution.
Guru Dr. Bidisha Mohanty
Our Guru
Guru Dr. Bidisha Mohanty is the Founder and Artistic Director of Indraadhanush: Center for Excellence. Bidisha Mohanty has over 30 years of experience in the Odissi dance form. She has been imparting this dance along with semi-classical and folk dances for over 20 years in India and various locations in USA i.e. California, Illinois, Wisconsin and New York. Dr. Mohanty is a disciple of Guru Sri. Durga Charan Ranbir and whole heartedly belongs to the Guru Dr. Deba Prasad Das lineage. Dr. Mohanty is a highly accomplished, skilled, and dedicated practitioner of Odissi Classical dance, and has been instrumental in promoting the ‘Guru Dr. Deba Prasad Das gharana’ of Odissi across various places in the USA. Dr. Mohanty has participated in various premier cultural events as a performer and choreographer. As a performing artist in Doordarshan, India she has been the recipient of Scholarship from Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, India. Bidisha’s students have performed at various cultural events and have won accolades for their performances both Nationally and Internationally. Prestigious events include Puri Beach festivals, Konark festivals, Odissi International festivals, FOG (Festival of Globe) festivals, Livermore Temple Natyanjali festivals, Bharata Samarpana by Sivapadam International Bay Area team, and many more events in which she was the choreographer for Odissi dances and performed with her students. Dr. Mohanty has to her credits many awards including the prestigious Kalashree award from OSA, Pritam Kaur Sondhi award from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, India and many more. Dr. Mohanty is a renowned choreographer and performer in the Odia community and the Indian community at large. She has created numerous original Odissi and Odia Folk dance compositions that showcase and promote our Odia cultural heritage. She has showcased them not only in the Odia community but in other Indian communities settled in the USA. Dr. Bidisha Mohanty’s name has become synonymous with any cultural events within the Bay Area Odia community. She is an active and enthusiastic member of the OSA- California chapter, an OSA life member, and has actively engaged in diverse events hosted at the chapter and national level. Bidisha currently holds a Masters Degree in Odissi Dance. Academically, she holds an MBA degree and a Ph.D degree and in the real world profession works as a Senior Asst. Vice President at Wells Fargo in the Product Management Arena. She is an avid initiator and participant in conducting lecture-demonstrations & workshops and has been associated with different organizations to promote and propagate Odissi dance, the Dr. Deba Prasad Das gharana, and take it to the next level.
