Based in New York, Dr. Neela Zareen is an Indian classical dancer in the styles of Kathak and Kuchipudi.  She has trained under the tutelage of her Kathak Guru Smt. Prerana Deshpande and Kuchipudi Guru Smt. Sadhana Paranji, following the guru‑shishya (master‑disciple) tradition. Neela has completed her Rangapravesam, earning the title Natya Tilakam in Kuchipudi, and the title “Dancing Flame” at Kathak Guru Purnima performance in Pune, India.  

For over two decades, she has performed across New York City and beyond—at festivals, community gatherings, and educational outreach programs in schools and colleges—bringing the poetry of rhythm and storytelling to diverse audiences. With the blessings of her Gurus, Neela founded Neela Dance Academy, where she teaches Kathak and Kuchipudi in their purest forms. Her students regularly perform at community events, carrying forward these traditions with pride and devotion.

In parallel with her artistic journey, Neela is also a neuroscience researcher at the CUNY School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in neurobiology from Columbia University, and her research focuses on repairing and reconnecting the brain to the spinal cord after injury. She has published widely in peer‑reviewed journals and serves as an assistant adjunct professor in human genetics.

Neela’s life is a confluence of art and science—ghungroos and research notes, storytelling and discovery—each reflecting her commitment to tradition, innovation, and community.