Bela Arnab was born in an affluent and culturally sound family in March 1941. Her father Satish Chandra Arnab had amellifluons voice and was a devoted student of music. He too initiation in Indian classical music under Ustad Badal Khan. In course of time, he learnt the subtle techniques of refined classical music from Ustad Girija Shankar Chakraborty who happened to be his bosom friend. In those days Ustaad Girija Shankar was a household name in Bengal as a musical genius.

It is a known fact that children are mostly influeneed by their family members and the ambience in the family. Bela was no exception to this rule. She was born and brought up in a musical atmosphere and could not think of a world minus the sound of music. At an age when children enjoy the most in fun and frolics, games and sports or listening to fairy talesfrom grand parents, Bela's child mind was tormented with music and rhythm of dance. She had an innate proclivity for being a dancer.

Her parents had noticed her knack for music and dance. As they were inclined to art and culture, Bela's parents inspired her to pursue dance as a career. Accordingly her father put her under the tutelage of Pt.Sohanlal Mishra who was an institution in himself in the sphere of Katthak dance of the Jaipur 'gharana.' Soon, the lass became a skilful dancer and held her audience spellbound with exquisite pieces of 'Padam,' 'Chalan,' 'Mudra' and other significant dance postures. At this time when little Bela was going great guns, she got a jott from the blue as her reuered dance guru (teacher) left for his heavenly abode. For the time being, Bela's dance career came to a halt.

Days passed by little Bela turned more matured and her hunger for dance had increased like never before. Now, she came under the tutalage of Pt. Jailalji who was delighted to get such a sincere student, taught her with utmost care and affection. Bela was a quick learner and showed all signs of being a proficient dancer. There was no looking back for Bela any more.As an uprising Katthak dancer with genuine potential, Bela started performing in different places all over India. Soon she became a very much talked-about dancer and was highly appreciated every time she performed.

Bela Arnab became a star attraction in all the musical and dance extravaganzas in Calcutta and its purlieu. She was extolled by the critics in different magazines and newspapers. During this phase, her guru Jailalji breathed his last. But his blessings were always with Bela which she thought had paved her path for being a successful dancer. Although her whole world revolved round dance, Bela was never inattentive in studies. Even when she went to the college, she carried with her dance simultaneously. 

Bela completed her academic life successfully. She got a scholarship from the Indian Government and went to Delhi. There she became a disciple of Pt. Sambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow 'gharana.' Soon, her teacher was very impressed to see her skll, grace and poise in dance. Apart from dance, she also took serious lessons in Indian classical music from Begum Akhtari Bai. She had in fact inherited this penchant for classical music from her father and excelled in it in a little time.

In 1958, she travelled to different places in Mid-Asia as a cultural representative of India. In 1971, the Indian Government conferred the prestigious 'Nritya Baridhi' on her. Today, Bela Arnab is a leading name in India as a quintessential Katthak dancer and an ace teacher. She has earned a separate niche for herself in India and abroad as a classic exponent of Katthak dance in Jaipur and Lucknow gharana. She is also working as a revered teacher in the Rabindra Bharati University. Bela Arnab has also written a few valuable books on Katthak dance.