“Teaching Kathak gives me enjoyment, gratification and provide me more energy when I see my students are learning this dance form with their passion and focus.” Today’s woman dreamer, Moumita Banerjee, is a talented Boston-based Kathak dancer and the founder of Tarana School of Kathak. Starting her dance journey at the age of 5 in Calcutta, Moumita fell in love with the dance form’s gracefulness and expression at an early age. In her Women Who Win interview, she reflects on her journey, and her mission to bring Indian and American culture together. She also highlights some key performances in her career, including her students’ beautiful performance for the Indian Ambassador to the USA, as well as her performance in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Enjoy her story!

1. Tell us your story. You are a talented kathak dancer. How did you find your passion for dance and the performing arts?

I started learning dance at the age of Five from Smt. Susmita Chakraborty in Calcutta. I have completed Prabhakar and Senior Diploma in Kathak with distinction from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, India. I was continuing my Kathak education along with my academic education and was deeply involved myself into it. I fell in love with its gracefulness. I found joy and freedom in expressing myself creatively through music and movement. Belonging to a typical middle-class Indian family my dream was always to succeed academically but my passion was for Kathak. I took admission in Kathak at Banaras Hindu University for my Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.). I was awarded with Gold Medal for securing 1st position in the University and completed my Master of Performing Arts (MPA) degree in Kathak in Lucknow Gharana from Bhatkhande Music Institute. I was lucky enough to learn from legendary Guru Pdt. Birju Maharaj and Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee in workshops. I also learned from other Kathak exponents such as Prof. Kumkum Dhar, Prof. Bina Singh, and Prof. Ranjana Srivastava. I got married and moved to the USA. I have been a performer for many years, performing and choreographing in India and in the USA (Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts) at various organizations and festivals.

2. You are the founder of Tarana School of Kathak, and your students recently performed for the ambassador. What do you like most about teaching the next generation of dancers?
I have founded Tarana School of Kathak (TSK) in 2018 to preserve the rich cultural heritage of kathak and promote traditional kathak dance form. I strongly believe that shifting focus Bollywood dance is slowly destroying the basic foundations of classical dance. I would be glad to share my dance experience with children and adults who love this as much as I do. Teaching Kathak gives me enjoyment, gratification and provide me more energy when I see my students are learning this dance form with their passion and focus. Kathak is not only about a dance, but it gives you the courage to express yourself through its movements and expressions. Kathak increase your confidence and give you the power in believing in yourself.

3. As a dancer, what does your typical day look like? How do you like to relax and unwind?

I am a dancer. Also, I am a mother and wife. I have one beautiful daughter and loving husband. My husband is a scientist and my daughter is in 5th grade. Of course, my one The responsibility is to take care of my family. In the morning, I spend some time reading about kathak or watch kathak dance by others or do some choreography for future events. I cook dinner in the afternoon as my work starts when others start coming home from school or office. I teach a few classes in the evening every day. All my classes are in mixed forms, sometimes online and sometimes in-person. My weekends are busy with classes all day long. This would not possible without support from my husband and daughter

4. Is there a particular performance you are proud of that you would like to tell us about?
Yes, I will talk about my student’s performance in front of the Indian Ambassador to the USA in a community engagement event in Burlington. I am very proud of their performance and their dedication in presenting themselves through kathak. Also, I would like to talk about my performance in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. I was very fortunate to have that opportunity. It was totally an amazing experience to perform on stage in front of a diverse group of audiences. I was happy to showcase kathak dance form to people who really love arts and culture from different countries.

5. As the platform for women dreamers, what is your next big dream?

My dreams are to set a foundation for Indian arts and culture to flourish in North America, enrich our community through performances and demonstrations, and integrate the Kathak tradition into American culture by bridging diverse cultures and audiences through my workshop and outreach activities.

Thank you Moumita for sharing your inspiring story with us. We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!

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