Following a successful career as a dancer in Orissa, India, Jyoti Rout came to the United States in 1993 and founded Jyoti Kala Mandir. Today JKM is a thriving community of families, dancers and second generation teachers. Many of her students have completed a Ranga Puja and are establishing careers as soloists. Jyoti Rout is still actively performing throughout the United States, India and internationally. She is a brilliant dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Jyoti Rout's teaching is based on devotion, service and surrender. She is deeply committed to passing on the torch of Odissi dance. In Odissi classes, students learn exercises, body positions, stepping technique, and dance item stories, music and choreography. Jyoti Rout believes that while technical proficiency is important, deep surrender is most important so that the divine can truly shine through a dancer.
Keshini has been learning Odissi from Guru Jyoti Rout for 16 years and completed her Ranga Puja in August 2007. During these years, Keshini has performed in numerous Jyoti Kala Mandir dance productions both as a soloist and group dancer. She is known for being a graceful and strong dancer with excellent rhythm She is patient and precise in her teaching style as an assistant instructor at Jyoti Kala Mandir for over 10 years.
Keshini is a professional accountant, Odissi dance teacher/choreographer and is also very active throughout the Bay Area in promoting the cultural traditions of her native Sri Lanka.
"I am truly blessed to have found a Guru that strives to preserve the spiritual essence of this dance form through her unconditional dedication to the dance and her students." -Keshini
Nilanjana Roy
One of the senior students of Guru Jyoti Rout. A leading dancer of JKM performing group who is approaching her upcoming Range Puja on June 10th, 2012 in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. She is committed and dedicated to take Odissi dance to the next generation and is presently teaching at the San Jose branch. As a teacher, Nilanjana's instructions are very precise and she demonstrates a unique level of creativity.
Following a successful career as a dancer in Orissa, India, Jyoti Rout came to the United States in 1993 and founded Jyoti Kala Mandir. Today JKM is a thriving community of families, dancers and second generation teachers. Many of her students have completed a Ranga Puja and are establishing careers as soloists. Jyoti Rout is still actively performing throughout the United States, India and internationally. She is a brilliant dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Keshini has been learning Odissi from Guru Jyoti Rout for 16 years and completed her Ranga Puja in August 2007. During these years, Keshini has performed in numerous Jyoti Kala Mandir dance productions both as a soloist and group dancer. She is known for being a graceful and strong dancer with excellent rhythm She is patient and precise in her teaching style as an assistant instructor at Jyoti Kala Mandir for over 10 years.