Debjani Chakraborty

🪔 About

Debjani Chakraborty is a distinguished Kathak dancer, choreographer, and teacher, renowned for her contributions to Indian classical dance, particularly the Lucknow Gharana. She holds a Master's Degree in Kathak from the esteemed Rabindra-Bharati University in Kolkata and a diploma in Kathak from the Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad. Her formative training in the "Lucknow Gharana" began at a young age under the tutelage of Smt. Bela Arnab. Her artistry further blossomed through master classes with legendary figures such as Smt. Damayanti Joshi, Pandit Birju Maharaj, and Vidushi Saswati Sen. As a passionate educator, Debjani Chakraborty founded and serves as the artistic director of the Kathak Darshan School Of Dance in San Diego, USA, in 2008. The school is dedicated to preserving and propagating the rich history and specific techniques of the Lucknow Gharana. She has also extended her teaching legacy by promoting and teaching Kathak Dance at the University of California San Diego. Her graceful movements and mastery over various aspects of Kathak, including Abhinaya (expression) and Laya (rhythm), are highly regarded. Chakraborty's artistic works have been showcased extensively across India and the United States. Beyond her performances and teaching, she actively contributes to the cultural landscape by being involved with organizations like the Federation of Indian Associations San Diego, Indo-American Society of San Diego, House of India, and Rotary International. She is also frequently invited to judge premier intercollegiate Indian classical dance competitions. Among her notable students is Sheetal Singh, who performed her Kathak Rangmanch Pravesh under Chakraborty's guidance.