Samina Husain Prema

🪔 About

Samina Husain Prema is an acclaimed Manipuri dancer based in Bangladesh. She is recognized for her contributions to Indian classical dance, particularly the Manipuri style. Prema serves as a dance instructor at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), a role she took on after a competitive selection process involving written, practical, and interview stages. She is also the founder and leader of her own dance group, "Bhabna," which has staged notable productions such as "Bhanushingher Padabali" and "Shakuntala." Her work with Bhabna allows her significant artistic freedom and has set a high standard for audience expectations. Prema has an international performance history, having performed at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London in 2011. She was invited back to perform there again, with a planned performance on October 22 (year not specified in the snippet, but the article discussing this was published around 2020-2021). Her performances often incorporate Rabindra and Nazrul songs, alongside pure Manipuri pieces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prema actively engaged in virtual performances and began conducting online classes to keep her students motivated and entertained. She emphasized the importance of physical exercise for dancers and encouraged her students to practice yoga. She also participated in the UNESCO Dhaka Office's #BeCreative campaign, contributing videos to promote art as a means of coping with the pandemic. Prema has collaborated with international companies, performing as one of 25 Bangladeshi dancers with the Akram Khan Company for March 17 celebrations. Her daughter, Prottoyee Prothoma, also known as Rai, has performed alongside her, receiving appreciation for their joint virtual performances. Prema continues to focus on positivity and developing new dance routines, maintaining contact with her students over the phone.