Ellora Patnaik


Ellora Patnaik is a Canadian actress of film, stage and television as well as an Odissi dancer.

Early life

She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the first child of her parents, Promod and Chitralekha Patnaik; she is seven years older than her sibling Devraj Patnaik. Her parents were born in the state of Orissa, India, and immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. Patnaik made numerous trips to India with her family in her youth.
Her parents soon moved to Oakville, Ontario, and then to Burlington, Ontario, where she attended M. M. Robinson High School.
In 1986, she was selected for training by Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, and went to study at the Odissi Research Centre in Orissa, India.

Dance training

Patnaik first and primary dance guru was her mother, who began training her as an Odissi dancer from a very young age. She has also received training from such notables as Padmashri Pankaj Charan Das, Padmabibhusan Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padmashri Sanjukta Panigrahi and Padmashri Gangadhar Pradhan.

Acting

She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts from 1992 to 1994 and was a member of the company in her third year.
In 2009, she played Jyoti Mehta, Indie Mehta's mother, in the Canadian television series How to Be Indie on YTV, she filmed another season in 2010.

Career

Odissi dance teacher

Patnaik has taught Odissi dance since the mid-1980s. In the early 1990s, she took over as the executive director of the Chitralekha Dance Academy.

Theatre work

YearTitleRoleTheatreLocation
1995Standing on My KneesCatherineNew York City, New York
1997Naga MandalaRaniTarragon TheatreToronto, Ontario
2001Umrao Jaan AdaUmraoRasik Arts
2004LeftBobbyRasik Arts
Say Goodnight GracieCatherineNew York City, New York
The Heidi ChroniclesBecky/BetsyNew York City, New York
The Country WifeLucyNew York City, New York
The SeagullHousemaidNew York City, New York
The House of Blue LeavesLittle NunNew York City, New York