You can't miss her large expressive eyes, her long thick plait, a prominent beauty spot on her nose and her warm smile - she is Nandita Puri.

You must have watched her in a variety of television serials such as Naya Zamana, Sailaab, Karz, Itihaas, Chamatkar, Chattan, Jung, Thoda hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, Lakshya, Daraar, Aashirwad, Vishwas, etc. through which she expresses a range of emotions. But few know that more than being just a TV Star, she is a famous Kathak dancer.

Each new day re-introduces Nandita to an enchanting world of dance, where every beat of the 'tabla' is the rhythm of her heart. The ghungroos beckon her and sound of music never fails to put the rhythm in her feet.

But only after completing her schooling did Nandita receive formal training in dance. She trained for a year with Guru Shankar Dev Jha, only to face his loss, after which she came to Bombay to the school of the famous Dr. Padmashree Roshan Kumari of the Jaipur Gharana, who inspired her totally.

Training in the traditional Guru Shishya Parampara, living with her Guru, Nandita has imbibed grace and rhythm, and shows a sensitive approach to the aesthetics of kathak.

The ease and fluidity of movement in her Nritta, tukras Parans, intricate tatkars (foot work) and chakkars (pirouettes) stand testimony to her hard work. Her expressive eyes bring alive the abhinaya and subtleties of emotion.

Ustad Fakir Muhommad, Dr. Roshan Kumaris father, the famous tabla and pakhawaj maestro has trained Nandita in Taal, Lai and Parhant, the life and blood of all dance forms. This has further enhanced the depth and beauty in her presentation.

Nandita's parents; Shri Tribhuvan Nath Puri and Smt Primila Puri, are a constant source of inspiration, their love and encouragement sustained her during the rigorous training period. Her mother Smt Primla Puri a renowned classical singer often provides vocal support to her dance.

Nandita is a graduate in psychology and 'Ancient Indian Culture'. She won a Govt. of India Scholarship under Scholarship to young workers in different cultural fields in 1982-83. She holds the title of 'Nritya Prabhakar' from Prayag Sangeet Samiti - Allahabad.

Nandita is also into choreography and has choreographed dance sequences for Vinay Dhumale's music video of Peenaz Masani. She also choreographed Raj Tilak's ballet, 'Ramayana'. But the biggest feather in her cap has been the film, 'Sardari Begum'. Not many know that and her colleague at her dance school, Mukta Joshi, together choreographed dance sequences for Smriti Mishra and Surekha Sikhri. They have also worked with the likes of Shyam Benegal which was an experience by itself.

In an ever-changing world, here is a dancer who has in all humility, adhered to the traditional form of the Jaipur Gharana of kathak. She has won accolades performing extensively in India and abroad and been proclaimed an outstanding performer who has presented kathak in its true form.

Nandita Puri conducts training classes for Kathak Dance and Folk Dance at SHRI M.M PUPILS' OWN SCHOOL & SHARDA MANDIR, Khar, Mumbai.