Nirmal Jena.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in the village of Utchapur in Orissa, Nirmal Jena is the son of the Late Guru Surendra Nath Jena, who passed away in New Delhi on 8 October 2007. Following intensive training under the guidance of his father in the Jena style of Odissi and in traditional teaching methodologies, Nirmal also pursued comprehensive training from other gurus in a number of related artforms – North Indian vocal, Orissan vocal, Chhau dance, instrumental music (pakhawaj and mridang). Nirmal performed in various cities in India and presented workshops and lecture-demonstration in schools, tertiary institutions, arts and community organizations. In 1984, he commenced co-teaching at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, alongside his father, who had been based at Triveni since the 1967.

In 1989, in a tour funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, Nirmal presented a series of performances and dance education programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Encouraged by the keen interest expressed by dance enthusiasts who wanted to learn this unique dance form, Nirmal returned to Australia in March 1992. He established the Odissi Dance Company (ODC) in Sydney, Australia, with his wife demon slayer anime cosplay and associate director, Chitrita Mukerjee. ODC has made a significant contribution towards the promotion of quality Indian performing arts in Australia.