Ellora Patnaik (born September 5, 1968) is a Canadian actress of film, stage and television as well as an Odissi dancer.

Ellora Patnaik
Born (1968-09-05) September 5, 1968 (age 56)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Actress and Odissi dancer

Early life

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She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the first child of her parents, Promod and Chitralekha Patnaik; she is seven years older than her brother Devraj Patnaik. Her parents were born in the state of Orissa (now Odisha), India, and immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. Patnaik made numerous trips to India with her family in her youth.

Her parents soon moved to Oakville, Ontario, and then to Burlington, Ontario, where she attended M. M. Robinson High School.

In 1986, she was selected for training by (late) Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, and went to study at the Odissi Research Centre in Orissa, India.

Dance training

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Patnaik's first and primary dance guru was her mother, who began training her as an Odissi dancer from a very young age. She has also received training from such notables as (late) Padma Shri Pankaj Charan Das, (late) Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padma Shri Sanjukta Panigrahi and Padma Shri Gangadhar Pradhan.

Acting

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She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts[clarification needed] from 1992 to 1994 and was a member of the company in her third year.

In 2009, she played Jyoti Mehta, Indie Mehta's mother, in the Canadian television series How to Be Indie on YTV,[1] she filmed another season in 2010.[citation needed]

Career

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1998 My Own Country Rajani Verghese
2000 Tapish Lajwati 'Laji'
2003 Open House Young Woman
2005 Riding the Bus with My Sister Girl on Bus
2008 Toronto Stories Caroline
2008 Statues Come to Life Statue
2016 Killing Mommy Detective Morse
2018 Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe Beverly
2020 Kitty Mammas Helen
2020 Too Close for Christmas Kim
2021 One Small Visit Elizabeth George

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 The 7th Portal Imitatia / Anna Nehue
2003 Wild Card Insurance Adjustor
2004 Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye Nurse
2006 Billable Hours Office Worker
2005-2006 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours Elaine Rupesh / Tara Mulla
2007 The Gathering Nurse
2008 MVP Hostess
2009 Being Erica Erica
2009 The Line Nikki
2010 Cra$h & Burn Court Driver
2009-2011 How to Be Indie Mum (Jyoti) Mehta / Jyoti / Mum Mehta
2011 Degrassi: The Next Generation Nurse
2012 Beauty and the Beast Nurse
2016 Orphan Black Ultra Sound Technician
2016 American Gothic Dr. Donna Stanhope
2016 Ride Madhu
2016 Conviction Dr. Lorraine Martin
2017 The Expanse Ashanti
2017 Murdoch Mysteries Padma Bannerjee
2018 Imposters Dr. Grady
2018 Condor Tech Female
2018 Guilt Free Zone Veena
2018 Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe Beverly
2018 Coroner Richie Singh
2019 Talent Drivers Sex Shop Attendant
2019 The Bold Type Priya
2019 Titans Ticket Agent
2019 Hudson & Rex Deena Roy
2020 Spinning Out Dr. Latner
2020 Schitt's Creek Funeral Director
2017-2020 Kim's Convenience Anjali Mehta
2020 Nurses Aalia Khan
2020 The Wedding Planners Deb
2021 Ginny & Georgia Bhanu
2021 Sort Of Raffo
2023 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds T'Pril

Odissi dance teacher

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Patnaik has taught Odissi dance since the mid-1980s. In the early 1990s, she took over as the executive director of the Chitralekha Dance Academy.

Theatre work

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Year Title Role Theatre Location
1995 Standing on My Knees Catherine New York City, New York
1997 Naga Mandala Rani Tarragon Theatre Toronto, Ontario
2001 Umrao Jaan Ada Umrao Rasik Arts
2004 Left Bobby Rasik Arts
Say Goodnight Gracie Catherine New York City, New York
The Heidi Chronicles Becky/Betsy New York City, New York
The Country Wife Lucy New York City, New York
The Seagull Housemaid New York City, New York
The House of Blue Leaves Little Nun New York City, New York

See also

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Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 Peabody Awards Entertainment Sort Of Nominated [2]

References

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  1. ^ [dead link] "DECODE Strikes How to Be Indie Sales". World-Screen via The TV Realist.com. January 7, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Voyles, Blake (September 20, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Nominees". Retrieved September 20, 2023.
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