Biography
PC: Debojyoti Dhar
Swagata Banerjee is one of the leading Odissi dancers of today, blending tradition, aesthetics, and movement to make dance more accessible and meaningful. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Moksha Academy of Odissi Dance, she trains and mentors dancers of diverse backgrounds, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to the art form.
Swagata’s passion for dance and teaching goes hand in hand. An educator by profession, she integrates Odissi into early childhood education, particularly in fine and gross motor development for children with special needs. She explores different musical genres through the lens of Odissi, making the dance form more relatable to a broader audience.
Her contributions to cultural education extend internationally. Swagata’s artistic journey was also featured in the documentary film Three Worlds One Stage, produced by the University of Colorado Denver, which explores the experiences of immigrant artists and their cultural narratives.
Born into a family of artists, Swagata was deeply influenced by her mother, Srilekha Bandyopadhyay, a renowned vocalist in India. Her Odissi training began with Guru Manimala Chakraborty and Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, followed by over a decade of mentorship under Guru Rina Jana. She now continues her artistic journey under Guru Bijayini Satpathy, constantly evolving as a dancer and educator.
Swagata’s passion for dance and teaching goes hand in hand. An educator by profession, she integrates Odissi into early childhood education, particularly in fine and gross motor development for children with special needs. She explores different musical genres through the lens of Odissi, making the dance form more relatable to a broader audience.
Her contributions to cultural education extend internationally. Swagata’s artistic journey was also featured in the documentary film Three Worlds One Stage, produced by the University of Colorado Denver, which explores the experiences of immigrant artists and their cultural narratives.
Born into a family of artists, Swagata was deeply influenced by her mother, Srilekha Bandyopadhyay, a renowned vocalist in India. Her Odissi training began with Guru Manimala Chakraborty and Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, followed by over a decade of mentorship under Guru Rina Jana. She now continues her artistic journey under Guru Bijayini Satpathy, constantly evolving as a dancer and educator.
