From Odissi to Inner Peace – The Journey of Krishnaveni Putrevu

In this heartfelt episode of Passion Fruit, host Lavanya sits down with the multifaceted and deeply inspiring Krishnaveni Putrevu, an Odissi dancer, cultural advocate, and life coach based in Dallas, TX. Originally from Odisha, India—the land of Utkala arts—Krishnaveni shares her immersive journey into Odissi dance, which began during her childhood in a diverse township in Bhubaneswar. From humble beginnings as one of 80 students in her community to establishing Utkala Academy in Dallas, she opens up about the cultural challenges she overcame to introduce and popularize Odissi in the United States.

Her artistic journey spans not only Odissi but also Sambalpuri folk dance, dance dramas, puppetry-inspired choreography, and international representation through UNESCO cultural programs. Yet, her evolution didn’t stop at dance. With compassion and a calling to support her students beyond technique, she also trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and NLP, offering mental wellness support alongside dance instruction. Today, she teaches over 80 students and is preparing a grand Odissi production based on the life of Gautam Buddha, set to premiere in November.

Krishnaveni’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a relentless dedication to preserving and sharing Indian classical art while healing hearts.