A Life Shaped by Many Worlds
Born in India, and now rooted in San Diego, Nilanjana’s life has been a dance across continents and cultures. Alongside raising two sons, she made a home wherever life led her. Through it all, one thread stayed unbroken: the pull of Odissi.
Chosen by the Dance
As founder of RDM Studio, Nilanjana now shares the gift of Odissi with women and children from all walks of life. Her teaching honors the Guru-Shishya tradition. With empathy, structure, and soul, she guides students not just to learn—but to belong.
At eight, she began her journey with Revivalist Guru Mayadhar Raut and later trained under Aloka Paniker in Delhi. As a young performer, she appeared on national television and danced in youth festivals. Though she studied Bharatanatyam for deeper insight, it was Odissi that lived in her bones.
A Sacred Pause
Life took her on a new path—motherhood. Dance receded, but its echo remained. In the stillness of raising her children, something inside her quietly ripened. That echo turned into a calling she could no longer ignore.
It’s Never Too Late to Return
A Journey of Grief & Healing
After her mother’s passing, she returned to grieve the only way she knew—through dance. For weeks, she practiced 5–6 hours daily, braving monsoon rains, aching limbs, and crowded metros to reach her mentor’s studio, her sanctuary. She surrendered her grief, one step at a time. Her body gave out but her spirits soared. It was never just choreography—it was a way to grieve, heal and transform.
A Teacher Who Leads with Heart
As the founder of RDM Studio, Nilanjana now teaches Odissi to women and children, blending the Guru-Shishya tradition with compassion and soul. Her classes offer more than movement—they foster belonging.
“Dance has never been just movement. It’s been my prayer, my healing and my truth.“