Born into a family of music lovers, Parna started learning Kathak at the tender age of 8 at Kathak Kendra, N. Delhi under the guidance of Guru Smt Reba Vidyarthi, one of the senior-most disciples of Pt.Shambhu Maharaj. A merit scholarship holder throughout her studies at the Kendra, Parna successfully completed the Diploma Course taking the first position. At present she is continuing further training under the tutelage of the world-renowned exponent, Pt.Birju Maharaj from whom she is learning the finer nuances of the art.
Since her debut performance in 1990, Parna has had a number of solo and group performances at major dance platforms in the country. To name a few, solo recitals at the Kathak festival, 1991 organised by the Kathak Kendra, Jhankar Utsav 1993 by Sahitya Kala Parishad, Nritya Pratibha 2000 by Sangeet Natak Academy and Kathak Kendra, and solo performance at the India International Center in 2002. Parna has participated in many of the choreographic compositions of her Guru, Pt.Birju Maharaj including the ballets "Simhaasan" and "Meera" and has taught at her Guru's dance workshops in India and in different parts of the World. She has participated in the programmes organised on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of India's Independence in Bangladesh and in performances with her Guru in China, Myanmar and Malaysia. She has performed and participated in workshops with her Guru on three occasions in USA where they toured a number of cities both in east and west coasts. Parna has also performed in the dance items choreographed by her Guru for the films, 'Gadar' and 'Devdas'. Till recently she was in the faculty of her Guru Pt. Birju Maharaj's institution, "Kalashram" where she was a performer as well as a teacher. Delhi Doordarshan classifies Parna as a "Grade A" artiste. She was introduced to the national audience in the acclaimed Doordarshan series "The National Programme of Dance" in January 2001.She was also the receipient of the Human Resources Development Ministry's junior scholarship for two years for pursuing her dance lessons under her Guru. A dedicated artiste, Parna continues to strive for excellence in her art.
PERFORMANCES 2004 - Performed with her guru Pt. Birju Maharaj and senior disciple Saswati Sen in a concert in Los Angeles on the 1st of October. 2003 - Participated in programme organised at Purana Quila and also in the Patiala Festival. Gave lecture demonstrations for SPICMACAY in various colleges including IIT, Delhi and also in some schools on behalf of India International Rural Cultural Center (IRCEN). Performances and workshops at USA. Performed solo dance of onehour duration at the India Habitat Center on Janmashtami. 2002 - Participated and taught in workshops at Kolkata. Took part in the prestigious Khajuraho Festival. Performed solo dance of one and a half hours duration at the India International Center on 31st August. 2001 - Participated and taught in workshops at Kolkata and group performance with Guru at Shirdi Sai Baba Ashram. Performed in different items and participated in workshops with Guru in USA ( New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Rochester, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc..). Performed in choreographic compositions by Guru, specially duet with senior dancer, Deepak Maharaj at the India Habitat Center. 2000 - Solo performance in "Nrityapratibha" organized by Sangeet Natak Academy and Kathak Kendra. Also participated in programmes held at Bangalore, Mumbai and Lucknow and Zee TV's "SAREGAMA" programme at Taj Mahal, Agra. 1999 - Participated in performances organized by ICCR with Guru at different places of Myanmar, Malaysia and China. 1998 - Performed in programmes and participated in workshops with Guru in USA (New York, San Francisco, Raleigh, Tampa, Texas, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, etc..). 1997 - Solo performance at IGNCA and participation in programmes on the 50th year of India's Independence in Bangladesh on behalf of ICCR. 1996 - Participation and teaching the young dancers at different workshops of Pt. Birju Maharaj at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc. 1995 - As Krishna in the ballet "Meera" by Pt. Birju Maharaj on TV with Saswati Sen as Meera. 1994 - Child artiste Babruvahan in the ballet "Simhaasan" choreographed by Pt. Birju Maharaj at Delhi, Kolkata and Jamshedpur. 1992 - Ceremony organized by the Sangeet Natak Academy at Jaipur before the then President of India to felicitate her Guru Smt. Reba Vidyarthi. 1991 - Solo performance in the Kathak Festival, organized by the Kathak Kendra. 1990 - Saraccandrika Festivalas a debutante, earned the acclaim of many dance lovers, critics and gurus as well.