Poushali Chatterjee

🪔 About

Poushali Chatterjee is a distinguished Indian classical Manipuri dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Kolkata, India. Her journey in Manipuri dance began at the tender age of eight, under the tutelage of Shri Kunjo Singh. She further honed her skills through training with eminent gurus such as Smt. Darshana Jhaveri and Smt. Kalavati Devi, ultimately receiving comprehensive instruction from the legendary Guru Bipin Singh. Demonstrating exceptional talent early on, Poushali was awarded a National Scholarship at the age of twelve. Her dedication to the art form extended beyond dance movements, as she also mastered playing the Manipuri drum (Pung) and received training in Thang-Ta, the Manipuri martial arts, from Ranjeet Chingtham, and traditional Manipuri folk dance from Oja Amusana Devi. Academically accomplished, Poushali holds a Post Graduate degree in English Literature, alongside diplomas in Design Thinking and Dance Movement Therapy. In 1996, Poushali Chatterjee founded her own institution, Nandanik Manipuri Dance Academy, also known as Nandanik Movement Arts, in Kolkata. The academy, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2026, imparts training in various Manipuri dance styles, including Rasleela, Cholom, Thang-ta, and Mridang playing, following the scientific system devised by Guru Bipin Singh. As a performer and choreographer, Poushali has presented numerous Manipuri dance performances across India at prestigious festivals like Khajuraho, Konark, Nishagandhi, Ganga, Soorya, Chhand, and the Solo Dance Festival in Manipur. Her international performances include tours in the US, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, and Singapore. She is a graded artiste of Doordarshan. Her choreographic works encompass traditional dance dramas such as Krishnaleela, Rabindranath Tagore's 'Kalmrigaya', and 'Maharshi Bhagyachandra'. She has also ventured into contemporary choreography, creating productions like "Sama - The Harmony of Life" (a 2003 fusion of Manipuri and Odissi), "Agni - The Life Force", "Icche - Shei to Bhangche, Shei to Gorche", "Malem gi Wari: An Earth Story", "Parichay: A Search for Identity", "Nada Swaroopam", "Damaru: The Divine Inclusion", and "Patakatha - A Story of Evolution". Poushali also completed a two-year research project on the similarities and differences between Hindustani, Carnatic, and Manipuri Tala and Music, supported by a fellowship from the Government of India. Beyond her dance career, she has a significant professional career in e-learning and talent development, having worked with Ogilvy & Mather, Tata Interactive Systems, and currently heading the Talent Development Centre at TCS. Awards & Honours: National Scholarship, Gold in National Youth Festival (1995), Kal Ke Kalakar award from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, Outstanding Paper award from Training Journal, Emerald Publishing Group, UK (2010), Brandon Hall Award, Apex Award, Stevie Award.