About Pratibha Jena Singh:

A remarkable performer, Pratibha Jena Singh is known for her expertise in expressing an expansive range of emotions. Being Guru Surendra Nath Jena’s eldest daughter, Pratibha began her training at an early age, under her father’s avid guidance. From here, she went on to imbibe the qualities of his Odissi style and has become its most accomplished exponent, performing in many national and international festivals of dance. Pratibha is also a teacher and an accomplished choreographer. Training in pakhawaj under Guru Prafulla Kumar Mangharaj has added to her in-depth knowledge of the arts. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Delhi.

A recipient of many awards and distinctions, such as the Shringhari Shyamsunder Award for Odissi in 1995 and a national scholarship from the Government of India for Indian Classical Dance from 1977 to 1984, and a scholarship from Triveni Kala Sangam for 2001.  Pratibha is an empanelled artist of ICCR and Doordarshan. She was also actively involved in a film project which documents the Odissi style of Guru Surendranath Jena, by AHRC Research Centre for Cross Cultural Music & Dance Performances, Roehampton University, London, in 2005-06. 

She has frequently been invited to perform in Eastern European countries, particularly Ukraine and Russia, where she has a group of dedicated followers. In 2008 she completed a two-month performance tour in the USA as a guest of Ganesh Academy of Indian Arts.  Besides this, she has conducted workshops and given lecture demonstrations in India for Sangeet Natak Akademi and in various schools for SPICMACAY.

She is currently teaching at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, with a view to continue a journey her father embarked upon. Her husband Bhumi Keshwar Singh and daughter Raudri are both dancers as well.  Raudri danced in a program in 2008 and Bhumi is well-known in the field of Saraikela Chhau Dance and Sanskrit Drama direction in Chhau Style.