Pallabi De

🪔 About

Pallabi De is a distinguished Indian classical Kathak dancer of the Lucknow gharana, based in Kolkata. Her extensive training began under Guru Smt. Kanan Sen, and she later received advanced tutelage from the legendary Kathak maestro, Pandit Birju Maharaj, at Kalashram in New Delhi. De's talent was recognized early, earning her first position in the Nehru Talent Contest and a National Scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India. She also secured third place at the W.B. Rajya Sangit Academy and the All India Dover Lane Music Competition. A prolific performer, Pallabi De has graced numerous prestigious stages both in India and internationally. Her global performances include the 2nd Asia Arts Festival in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), Myanmar, and Malaysia, where she performed in group choreographies organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the direction of Pt. Birju Maharaj. She has also performed at the World Music Theater Festival in Holland, in the United Kingdom, and at festivals in Thailand, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Amsterdam, and Spain, often sponsored by the ICCR. In India, her performances span major festivals and events such as the SANKALP Classical Dance Festival in Bhubaneswar (2019), Bishnupur Festival (2019), SILKFEST Festival in Berhampore (2023), and YAAD Festival at ICCR Kolkata (2023). She has presented solo recitals at the “New – Talent” festival, “Kathak Utsav,” “Kathak Mahotsava,” and Sangeet Natak Akademi Festivals across various cities. Notably, she performed at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and at the SAARC Summit banquet for then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Pallabi De is also a dedicated educator and choreographer. She has tutored at Kalashram and conducted numerous workshops organized by SPICMACAY in India and by KADAM, Milapfest, and Sujata Banerjee Dance Company in the United Kingdom. She currently leads her own institution, Brijdham Academy for Performing Arts, in Kolkata, where she imparts her knowledge of Kathak. Her significant contributions to Kathak dance were formally acknowledged when she received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2010. She is an empanelled artist of ICCR, Delhi Doordarshan, IRCEN, and SPICMACAY. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2010), National Scholarship, First position in Nehru Talent Contest, Third position at W.B. Rajya Sangit Academy, Third position at All India Dover Lane Music Competition.