Poushali Chatterjee

Being a gifted and dedicated student, Poushali received a National Scholarship at the age of 12. With a natural grace and sense of tala, she became equally adept at tandava, lasya and abhinaya. Her interest in learning all aspects of this form made her learn how to play the Manipuri drum or Pung , she has mastered the art and plays the instrument regularly during her performances. The same interest also motivated her to take training in Thang-Ta, the Manipuri Martial Arts, from Ranjeet Chingtham, an accomplished exponent of this form.

Poushali also has an excellent academic record, with a Post Graduate degree in English literature. She has worked for several advertising concerns and is working as a senior manager in one of the foremost e-learning companies in the world.

In 1996, Poushali opened her own institution, Nandanik Manipuri Dance Academy, where she teaches her students the various styles of Manipuri Dance - Rasleela, Cholom, Thang-ta and Mridang playing - according to the scientific system of training devised by Guru Bipin Singh. Nandanik has already produced fine dancers, many of whom have received scholarships and degrees from Pracheen Kala Kendra, as well as Shringarmoni titles from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai. The performing troupe of Nandanik has already toured extensively and given successful performances.

Choreographies by Poushali:-

Poushali has choreographed a number of dance dramas, the chief among them being Krishnaleela, Rabindranath Tagore's 'Kalmrigaya' and Maharshi Bhagyachandra, a dance drama based on the life of the pioneer of Manipuri Dance. Her study of English literature and awareness of developments around the world have fuelled her interest in contemporary choreography. In 2003, she presented her first contemporary production Sama - The Harmony of Life, a fusion of Manipuri and Odissi that explores the rhythms of life and dwells on how these rhythms are being broken by an increasingly intolerant and violent world order. Poushali has also choreographed Agni - The Life Force, which delineates the many moods of fire, from the nurturing to the destructive. Recently she presented 'Icche - Shei to Bhangche, Shei to Gorche', a dance drama based on one of Rabindranath Tagore's short stories, which deals with the discontentment of human beings with what they have and their constant yearning for what they don't have. Poushali's last production 'Patakatha - A Story of Evolution' traces the history of the Potuas, a group of painters-cum-musicians from rural Bengal whose art is under threat from modern forms of entertainment.

At present, Poushali gives performances, while teaching and choreographing as well. She has recently finished a two-year a research project on the similarities and differences between Hindustani, Karnataka and Manipuri Tala and Music with a fellowship from the Government of India.