From Italy to India: A Journey of Faith & Identity - Ileana Citaristi’s Story | EP15 | KisseBaazi

What makes someone leave their country, culture, language, and identity behind… to make a new home in a land they once knew nothing about?

In this episode of KisseBaazi, we sit down with Ileana Citaristi — an Italian-born Odissi and Chhau dancer, Padma Shri awardee, author, theatre practitioner, and a woman who didn’t come to India to find something… but ended up finding herself.

We explore:

Why did she first come to India

The moment that changed her life forever

Her deep and sacred relationship with her guru Kelucharan Mohapatra ji

What it means to learn, surrender, and transform through art

How she became a writer and cultural documentor

And her simple, powerful philosophy of living life with awareness

This is not just a conversation about dance. It is a story of identity, devotion, searching, surrender, and love for India. If you are someone trying to understand your purpose, path, or home, this episode will resonate with you.

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About Ileana Citaristi:
Originally from Italy, Ileana moved to India in the 1970s and began her training under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, one of the greatest exponents of Odissi. Her journey has been one of discipline, immersion, and cultural devotion, earning her the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian classical art forms.

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