Geeta Mahalik is one of the most outstanding exponents of Odishi dance in India today. She is the recipient of central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Odishi dance. Trained in the grammar of dance from an early age by two eminent gurus of Odishi – initially by late Deba Prasad Dash and later by Shri Mayadhar Raut - she has inherited the best of the great Odishi tradition. Building on the scaffolding of grammar learnt from these eminent gurus, she has made her own distinctive contribution of innovative interpretation through powerful mimetic choreography to appeal to a variety of viewers cutting across the barriers of region and language. Critics have often described her dance as “sheer poetry in motion”.

She has performed more than once in all the major dance festivals of the country like Khajuraho, Ellora, Elephanta, Konarka, Mukteswar Dance Festival, Ganga Mahotsav, Badri Kedar Utsav, Taj Festival, Kalidas Samaroh at Ujjain, Mandu Festival, Mahabalipuram Festival, etc. Crossing the shores of India, she has performed in USA, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, China, Mongolia, Nepal and many countries of East and West Africa under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Her innovative choreography in dance-dramas like Lavanyavati, Krishnabhilasha and Draupadi:Antim Prashna has won tremendous plaudits from critics and connoisseurs alike.

She has won many honours and awards from cultural and artistic organizations in India and abroad. Apart from central Sangeet Natak Akademi’s and Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademis’ Award for Odishi dance, she has been honoured with Gramini Award by India International Rural Cultural Centre for bridging the cultural divide between rural and urban. She was awarded senior fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for her pioneering work in the field of evolution of Odishi dance.

She has been invited to be a member of several Expert Committees of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India dealing with selection of performing arts and artists. She has also been a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Defence for selection of school children’s dance items presented at the Republic Day Parade. She was a member of the General Council of the central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and also of Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi. She is the Founder-Director of Upasan