Padma Shri Italian Odissi Dancer's Love For India
Italian-born Odissi and Chhau dancer, Ileana Citaristi, is imparting her knowledge to young dancers in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar. Inspired by Indian art and culture, Ms Citaristi decided to settle in Odisha. She started her own school of dance in 1994 and became the first dancer of foreign origin to be conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2006 for her contributions to Odissi. She was also awarded the 43rd National Film Awards for best choreography for the film "Yugant" in 1995. (Video credit: ANI)
