Co-founder • Odissi Dancer • Dance Director
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay, a UCLA graduate and speech pathologist, is an internationally recognized Indian classical dancer. Celebrated as a child prodigy at age 11, Sharanya has been dedicated to Odissi dance since the age of 4. Her style uniquely blends classical technique with yoga, spirituality, and global influences.
She began her training under Srimati Nandita Behera and later honed her skills at Orissa Dance Academy with stalwarts like Aruna Mohanty and Manoranjan Prodhan. Dance critics have likened her talent to that of Shirley Temple. At just 12, she became the youngest performer in Los Angeles' Dance Kaleidoscope and has been featured in publications such as the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Tribune, and Orange County Register.
Known for her powerful yet graceful performances, Sharanya’s strength lies in her mastery of abhinaya (expressive storytelling). Raised in the U.S., she bridges her Indian heritage with Western exposure, bringing cultural authenticity and contemporary sensibility to her art. Her mission is to elevate Odissi as a spiritual and expressive dance form, rooted in bhakti (devotion).
Sharanya has performed at numerous charity events—raising funds for flood victims in Odisha, and dancing at hospitals and senior centers in California.
Her versatility spans dance styles like Flamenco, Hip Hop, Indian Folk, Bollywood, Korean, and African. She’s also trained in Tae-Kwon-Do and integrates martial arts into her choreography.
In addition to pageant titles like Miss Teen California and Miss South Asia, she worked as a newscaster for Showbiz India. Sharanya has performed and taught across the U.S. and India, receiving acclaim in both countries. Now based in Yorba Linda, she is committed to teaching and inspiring a new generation of dancers.
“Dance is meditation in motion. I strive to create a space where every student finds strength, stillness, and joy.”
Diwali at the Whitehouse
Dance Perfomance at the Whitehouse
Odissi performance in County
With Padmashri Guru Aruna Mohanty
Odissi Workshop with Padmashri Guru Aruna Mohanty
With Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
With Wahida Rahman
With Gangadhar Pradhan, a renowned dance guru
With Manoranjan Prodhan, dance Guru
With Nandita Behera, dance Guru
With Pandit Ravishankar
With Birju Maharaj, Dance legend
With Salman Khan
With First Lady at The Whitehouse
a student for a profession showcase
“Words like “transcendence” are normally reserved fort mature artists. And in selecting a 12 year old for the Kaleidoscope program, the panel opens itself up to questions that it has selected a student for a profession showcase.” — OC Register, 1999
we all felt transcendence
“It was amazing. All of us on the panel just saw her in dead silence and looked at each other”, Medh Yodha said, “ we all felt transcendence. We actually felt what she was communicating” — Medh Yodha, OC Register, 1999
Classical Indian Dance shimmered, notably in the astonishingly composed 12 year old Sharanya Mukhopadhyay
“Classical Indian Dance shimmered, notably in the astonishingly composed 12 year old Sharanya Mukhopadhyay, whose filigreed fingers embodied the East Indian Odissi dance…” — Los Angeles Times, 1999
Originally there is a performer who sparks Epiphanies.
“Originally there is a performer who sparks Epiphanies. There was one such performer this year, according to several jurors. Her name is Sharanya Mukhopadhyay. She is 12.” — Orange County Register, 1999
Mukhopadhyay’s artistic gifts compare to that of child start Shirley Temple
“Medh Yodh, an expert in Indian Classical dance, compared Mukhopadhyay’s artistic gifts to that of child start Shirley Temple.” — Medh Yodh, Orange County Register, 1999
Outstanding!
“She was someone who was so outstanding we couldn’t believe it” — Don Hewitt, Executive Director, Dance Kaleidoscope, 1999
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay won the Princes Grace Award for excellence of dance
“At the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York,…Sharanya Mukhopadhyay won the Princes Grace Award for excellence of dance” — Hinduism Today, 2000
Mukhopadhyay was absolutely radiant.
“Mukhopadhyay was absolutely radiant. At 13, Mukhopadhyay already has a fluidity and clarity of technique, married beautifully with quick silver dramatic skills…” — Los Angeles Times, 2000
Sharanya…..a 13 year old child prodigy
“Sharanya…..a 13 year old child prodigy was the only soloist..her mature and highly polished performance belied Mukhopadhyay’s tender age and was on of the heights of the concert…” — San Diego Tribune, 2000
Sharanya….was a standout in solo performance of “Ardhanarishwara”
“Sharanya….was a standout in solo performance of “Ardhanarishwara”, a virtuoso portrayal of male and female energy. Slapping the floor with perfectly turned-out feet and alternating precisely angled poses with gracefully energetic movement, Mukhopadhyay told the story of …..” — San Diego Union – Tribune, 2005
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay stole the show……
“Some were very average while some stood out for their sheer technical virtuosity and skill which won them instant applause. Nandita Behera’s 13 year old disciple Sharanya Mukhopadhyay stole the show……!” — Sunil Kothari, Sruti, 2000
The Statesman, Kolkata praises her charitable efforts and her talents (in Bengali), 2006
— The Statesman, Kolkata
Twinkle toes from the West………
— Telegraph, Kolkata, 2006
The Hindu praised her performance in 2007 at the International dance festival at Bhuvaneswar
— The Hindu, 2007
She was beyond my wildest imagination, absolutely superb……
— Indrani Sen, after Sharanya’s performance in Dover Lance Dance festival, 2007
As her teacher, I feel rewarded to groom such a gifted dancer
““As her teacher, I feel rewarded to groom such a gifted dancer” says US-based eminent Odissi dancer Nandita Behera - The Hindu, 2009” — Nandita Behera, Odissi dancer
Reigning Ms. Showbiz India USA Sharanya Mukhopadhyay
“Reigning Ms. Showbiz India USA Sharanya Mukherjee captivated the audience with a solo dance performance. Her grace, talent, and ability to win over the audience had not waned off even after a year in the spotlight” — India post, 2009
The promising prodigy of Odissi has emerged as one of the few promising faces of Odissi today
— The Hindu, 2009
“…different kind of joy”
“Celebrity singer Suzanna Guzman introduces Sharanya’s dance as a “…different kind of joy”, at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, December, 2009” — Suzanna Guzman, December, 2009
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay has emerged as a promising Odissi dancer
— Symahari Chkara, The Hindu, 2009
“The evening included a wonderful performance by Sharanya Mukhopadhyay, who wowed the crowd with a classical Odissi number”
— India Journal, 2010
