11 November 2024/

FROM CORPORATE HR TO ODISSI DANCE: THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF RENOWNED ODISSI DANCER KARISHMA AHUJA

Karishma Ahuja, a renowned Odissi dancer, is celebrated for her grace, poise and mesmerizing stage presence. Her journey into the world of dance is as inspiring as her performances.

Karishma holds an MBA in HR and spent eight years working in the corporate world as an HR professional. Despite her successful career, her passion for dance led her to make a life-changing decision. She left the corporate world to pursue her true calling—Odissi dance.

Today, Karishma is a freelance performing artist and Odissi dance instructor. She founded the Kadambari School of Odissi Dance, which offers quality training in this classical dance form. The school has branches in Bangalore and Chennai, helping spread the beauty of Odissi dance to many students.

In addition to her dance career, Karishma is a certified yoga instructor. She firmly believes in the healing power of dance and aims to use it as a medium to touch and transform lives.

Karishma Ahuja’s story is a testament to following one’s passion and the transformative power of art.

Karishma Ahuja is a talented artiste trained in the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra style of Odissi dance. She is currently advancing her skills under the guidance of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and Guru Rajashree Praharaj, and has also learned from Guru Sharmila Mukerjee.

Karishma has showcased her talent at numerous dance festivals, private, corporate, and public events across India and internationally. She has performed both as part of group presentations and as a solo artist. Her dedication and skill have earned her several accolades, including the ‘Nritya Kanaka Prabha Samman’ in 2017, the ‘Kalamani’ Award in 2019, and the ‘Tarang Ratna’ Award in 2022. In 2021, she was recognized among the Top 100 Iconic Artists and Educators of the year by the Rhythms Group, Mumbai.

In addition to performing, Karishma organizes the annual Indian Classical Dance and Music Festival, ‘Kadambari Utsav,’ which provides a platform for upcoming artistes. She has graced prestigious stages such as the Indian Classical Music and Dance Festival in Taiwan, Chidambaram Natyanjali, and Taj Mahotsav in Agra. Her group performances include appearances at Mysore Dasara, Soorya Dance Festival, and the National Classical Dance Festival in Chandigarh.

In 2020, Karishma was invited to participate in ‘Atal Kavya Kala Narthan,’ a national-level dance production based on the poetry of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which premiered on Doordarshan.