Ananya Chatterjee
Professionally trained in Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam) under the guidance of Guru Dr. Thankamani Kutty, Ananya has been a regular performer and teacher of Bharatanatyam at Kalamandalam, a reputed Centre for Performing Arts in the city of Kolkata, India. Ananya completed her 'Arangetram' (first public performance) at the young age of 14 under the guidance of her Guru and since then has been pursuing this beautiful art form with passion and devotion. Ananya was awarded a Talent Scholarship from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi, India (1988-1994) to pursue advanced training in Bharatanatyam. A recipient of The Best Dancer Award in 1990 by the West Bengal State Music Academy, Kolkata, Ananya has performed extensively on stage and national television in India and classified as a graded artist of Kolkata Television.
Settled in the UK since 2000, Ananya has had the opportunity to perform in different prestigious venues in London, Oxford, Reading, Leicester, Peterborough, Manchester and Cardiff (Wales). Kalakunj conducts workshops at local primary schools in Reading area and participates in community events with an aim to enrich people's understanding of culture and heritage.
An International Relations graduate from the University of Reading, Ananya realises the importance of infusing art into our lives to bring people together irrespective of class, race, religion or nationality. Beside her role as an Academic Records Manager at Wadham College, University of Oxford, Ananya is also involved in training children and adults in the basic skills of Indian classical dance in Reading, Berkshire.
Holding a Licentiate status of the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), London, Ananya regularly encourages and trains her students to undertake Grade examinations. Licentiate is a higher level teaching qualification awarded to teaching practitioners. Ananya's students have consistently attained commendable results in the ISTD Grade exams.
Ananya has led Kalakunj to win the PRIDE OF READING AWARD for Cultural Contribution in 2022.
