Teachers
Vidya Ping is a student at the University of North Texas. She is studying Business and is majoring in financial planning and minoring in entrepreneurship. Also, she is pursuing her real estate license.
She has been learning Odissi dance from the ripe age of 6. With over a decade of rigorous training under esteemed guru Krishnaveni. To her dance has become more than an extracurricular activity- it is what she identifies with. Throughout her dance journey she has performed multiple times in the DFW metroplex and looks forward to performing around the world.
At heart Vidya is creative, in her free time she likes to recreate complex henna designs, draw, do her nails, and make small clay charms.
Sneha Sash is a student at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in biochemistry and minoring in communications.
She has been dancing since she was five years old, and aspires to dance in India as a professional dancer.
Being a dancer has taught her values that she uses in her everyday life such as respect and perseverance. She believes this art form is a form of therapy and expresses this notion to other students in Utkalaa Dance Academy when she teaches.
Core Team
Ripsy Rimjhim is an Engineer working in the IT industry, a former Odissi dancer and a founder of a Non Profit organization. Beyond her professional and personal pursuits, Ripsy is a committed philanthropist. Her organization is dedicated to helping children with special needs and supporting victims of domestic violence, causes that Ripsy is deeply passionate about. Her work in this area is driven by a desire to create a more inclusive and compassionate society, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
She lives in Dallas with her two children. In all aspects of her life, be it engineering, dance or philanthropy, Ripsy Rimjhim exemplifies dedication, compassion and a commitment to excellence. She manages operations and media for Utkalaa Dance Academy.
Suprit Pattanayak is an IT Consultant in the Banking and Financial Services (BFS) industry. Born into an artistic family, Suprit has always had a deep affinity for dance and music, which makes watching his wife and daughters perform Odissi a true joy. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his beautiful wife and two daughters, both of whom are Odissi dancers as well.
Suprit also contributes his expertise by assisting Utkalaa Dance Academy (UDA) with financial matters, supporting the academy’s mission and helping it thrive.
Narayan Putrevu, an experienced IT professional, has been living in the Dallas area for several years. His extensive expertise in technology and management has been instrumental in supporting Utkalaa Dance Academy. As the husband of Guru Krishnaveni Putrevu, Narayan takes on a pivotal role in the academy, overseeing general administration and managing audio-video collaboration. His contributions ensure smooth operations and enhance the quality of the academy’s performances and events.