Mom Ganguly

🪔 About

Mom Ganguly is an accomplished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, teacher, independent research scholar, and academician, primarily known for her profound expertise in Mohiniyattam. Born into a culturally rich Bengali family where music and dance were nurtured, she embarked on her artistic journey with initial training from Guru Shakti Nag. She further honed her skills in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam under the tutelage of Guru Thankamani Kutty in Calcutta. Her specialized and advanced training in Mohiniyattam was undertaken under the esteemed guidance of Padmashree Guru Smt. Bharati Shivaji of Delhi, whom she considers her senior guru. Academically, Ganguly holds an M.A. in Fine Arts with a specialization in Dance from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. Her formal debut, or Arangetram, took place in 1988, after which she has performed extensively in Kolkata and across India for various cultural, corporate, and charitable organizations. Critics have widely acclaimed her dance performances, highlighting her expressive facial movements, supple body language, and commanding stage presence as hallmarks of a true dancer. Beyond her performing career, Mom Ganguly is a dedicated educator and promoter of classical and folk arts. She initiated and leads Touryatrikam, an organization focused on propagating classical art forms and fostering a balance between Eastern and Western cultural influences. She also heads the Centre for Mohiniyattam, established in April 1990, and the Kaishiki Arts and Research Centre, founded in August 2010, both dedicated to the study and practice of dance. Her academic contributions include serving as an examiner for the bachelor's and master's degree examinations in dance at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, for several years. She is also a Senior Research Fellow with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Furthermore, Ganguly is the convenor and editor of the Matribhasha Mission in Kolkata, actively involved in promoting indigenous dance forms, folk arts, and handicrafts of Eastern and North Eastern India. Her research endeavors include exploring the historical roots of Mohiniyattam, tracing its evolution through ancient texts and sculptural evidences, and understanding its connection to earlier dance traditions. Her guru envisions her as one of the future forerunners of the Mohiniyattam dance gharana.