Ellora Patnaik


Ellora Patnaik is a Canadian actress of film, stage and television as well as an Odissi dancer.

Early life

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, 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 Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, and went to study at the Odissi Research Centre in Orissa, India.

Dance training

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 Padma Shri Pankaj Charan Das, Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, Padma Shri Sanjukta Panigrahi and Padma Shri Gangadhar Pradhan.

Odissi dance teacher

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.

Acting career

She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts 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, she filmed another season in 2010.

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1990Daiba DaudiBobbyOdia movie, credited as Elora
1998My Own CountryRajani VergheseTelevision film
2000TapishLajwati 'Laji'Hindi movie
2003Open HouseYoung Woman
2005Riding [the Bus with My Sister]Girl on Bus
2008Toronto StoriesCaroline
2008Statues Come to LifeStatue
2016Killing MommyDetective Morse
2018Pride, Prejudice, and MistletoeBeverly
2020Kitty MammasHelen
2020Too Close for ChristmasKim
2021One Small VisitElizabeth George
2025CalorieMonika

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000The 7th PortalImitatia / Anna Nehue
2003Wild CardInsurance Adjustor
2004Sue Thomas: F.B.EyeNurse
2006Billable HoursOffice Worker
2005-2006True Crimes: The First 72 HoursElaine Rupesh / Tara Mulla
2007The GatheringNurse
2008MVPHostess
2009Being EricaNurse
2009The LineNikki
2010Cra$h & BurnCourt Driver
2009-2011How to Be IndieMum Mehta / Jyoti / Mum Mehta
2011Degrassi: The Next GenerationNurse
2012Beauty and the BeastNurse
2016Orphan BlackUltra Sound Technician
2016American GothicDr. Donna Stanhope
2016RideMadhu
2016ConvictionDr. Lorraine Martin
2017The ExpanseAshanti
2017Murdoch MysteriesPadma Bannerjee
2018ImpostersDr. Grady
2018CondorTech Female
2018Guilt Free ZoneVeena
2018Pride, Prejudice and MistletoeBeverly
2018CoronerRichie Singh
2019Talent DriversSex Shop Attendant
2019The Bold TypePriya
2019TitansTicket Agent
2019Hudson & RexDeena Roy
2020Spinning Out Dr. Latner
2020Schitt's CreekFuneral Director
2017-2020Kim's ConvenienceAnjali Mehta
2020NursesAalia Khan
2020The Wedding PlannersDeb
2021Ginny & GeorgiaBhanu
2021Sort OfRaffo
2023Star Trek: Strange New WorldsT'Pril

Theatre work

YearTitleRoleTheatreLocation
1995Standing on My KneesCatherineNew York City, New York
1997Naga MandalaRaniTarragon TheatreToronto, Ontario
2001Umrao Jaan AdaUmraoRasik Arts
2004LeftBobbyRasik Arts
Say Goodnight GracieCatherineNew York City, New York
The Heidi ChroniclesBecky/BetsyNew York City, New York
The Country WifeLucyNew York City, New York
The SeagullHousemaidNew York City, New York
The House of Blue LeavesLittle NunNew York City, New York

Accolades