Artistic Director
Pranita Jain trained for nine years with India’s foremost Bharata Natyam teacher, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh. She then continued her training with Jamuna Krishnan a leading choreographer and academician in India. But any creative endeavor is a life long learning. Jain has continued enriching herself. She came to the United States and received her Masters in dance ethnography from the University of Illinois to learn more about other dance forms so her understanding of dance would not be limited to Bharata Natyam. Jain visits Indian annually and has traveled worldwide to learn and exchange ideas with other performers to enhance her knowledge.
Her performances in the United States and India have been highly acclaimed. Jain has received several accolades for her work. The first, given by the Consulate of India on behalf of the government of India is the Honor of Distinction for "sustaining and promoting India’s multi-faceted, rich cultural heritage in the United States and for enriching the cultural and social profile of the Indian American Community." The Swami Narayan Temple in Bartlett Illinois honored Ms. Jain for “promoting Indian culture in America” during a Hindu Festival celebration. Additionally, the venerable Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar who is the oldest surviving member of a Royal family dating back to the 15th century recognized Ms. Jain for her artistic accomplishments as the “Dance Jewel of Rajasthan”.
She has performed at many notable venues including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, Symphony Center in New York city, Art Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University, the Lotus Music Festival in Bloomington, IN, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Newark Museum, Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur India, the prestigious Darpana Academy in Ahemdaabad, India and the Habitat World Center in New Delhi, India. Jain was honored to be invited to perform at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. She facilitated and participated in a cultural exchange trip to India with several artists from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. The group performed at the American Center U.S.Embassy, New Delhi, Mehrangadh Fort in Jodhpur, Darpana in Ahemdabad, IRMA, in Anand, the Amphi Theater in Baroda and the Blue Frog Club Mumbai.
Pranita Jain strives to be an excellent performer and yet be able to engage and connect with a curious student. She has managed to balance the two and be a teacher who integrates performances as part of a learning experience. Be it young children or adults Jain manages to reach out, build rapport and create an understanding of Bharata Natyam. The ability to tailor her performances for an audience to understand in a contemporary context elevates the experiences of her students. She is astute at using dance as a medium for cultural understanding. Jain has been awarded a “Master Teacher” award by the Illinois Arts Council eight times. Her teaching experience encompasses both committed students who attend her regular classes at Kalapriya's dance school and those who gain a brief insight into the medium at a workshop or lecture demonstration. Her work helps students build their self esteem, and provides them a platform to uninhibitedly explore their own emotional, physical, mental energy to create innovative designs in space and time. Some of Jain’s teaching assignments have been at the Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Wayne State University, Franklin & Marshall College Dance Department in Lancaster, PA, Chicago Public Schools, The Art Institute of Chicago and the World Music Festival in Chicago IL. She was engaged by international pop star Shakira to teach and choreograph for her performance at the MTV video award ceremony at Radio City Music Hall, New York.
Pranita Jain brings a new dimension to the choreography and rhythm of this dance form. Her foundational training springs from the diverse influences of India. It is at one time rooted in traditional Indian culture yet has been constantly evolving to remain lively and relevant to a transnational audience Extensively trained in the story telling aspect of Bharata Natyam where the dancer uses her hand gestures and facial expressions to describe the symbolism and mythology from Hindu myths, she has been increasingly drawn to and motivated by the art and symbolisms of other faiths and cultures. Through Kalapriya, she continually seeks new influences beyond the fundamental traditions of Bharata Natyam to inspire and expand her aesthetic.
Pranita Jain served as the leading dance consultant on the National Award Winning Exhibit of Vishnu at the Art Institute of Chicago. She has also served as a juror to make grants for dance organizations by the City of Chicago, CityArts program.