In 1936, 'Nrityacharya' Naresh Kumar was born in Shibpur, Howrah in a well-to-do family of refined tastes. Cultural activties, especially music and dance were highly admired in his family.

His father was late Prabhas Chandra Dey. At a very early age, Naresh showed a sincere and intense desire to pursue music and dance as his career. He was fortunate to get a very loving father who understood his cravings and instead of suppressing it, he encouraged Naresh to be an ace dancer some day. Later in his life, Naresh Kumar has made no hem and haw to say that he was totally indebted to his father without whose valuable support and patronage, his talent would have never blossomed. However, the contribution of his wife Ms. Manju Day in this regard deserves special mention. She is also a renowned dancer and an M.A. (Dance) from the Rabindra Bharati University.

Naresh Kumar has a colourful personality. He is a man of multifarious talents. He is an authority in Indian dance in all its major manifestations viz., Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Folk Dances, Creative Dance, Rabindra Nritya etc. Besides being a dancer par excellence, Naresh has also made a mark as a painter and a sitar player.

Naresh has rendered spectacular dance performances in India and abroad which has captinated thousands of people. He has been highly appreciated by the critics all over the world. As a choreographer, he has worked commendably in several Bengali and Hindi feature films. He was invited by the Government of Germany to perform there as well as for conducting experiments for the upliftment of their dance forms. 

Naresh Kumar is a regular dance artiste and choreographer of Calcutta Doordarshan. He is a dance examiner at the university. Many of his students have become established dancers today by their own rights. He has also authored several precious books on dance. He has received umpteen awards and accolades as a dancer. 'Nupur,' the dance institute in Calcutta with a difference, was founded by him to teach the graceful art of dance to hundreds of aspiring students.