About Anupa Thakurta
Dancer. Choreographer. Teacher. Student. Artist. All of these five titles can describe Anupa Guha Thakurta, fondly known as Anupa Aunty, Anupa Akka, Anupa Di or Guru Anupa by her students. Well respected in the dance circles in the US, UK, and India, Anupa brings her own uniqueness as an artist and a teacher at the same time. She is probably one of the few teachers who also performs and that is a testament to her passion for dance, fitness and discipline. The two worlds juxtapose nicely for her.
Anupa was introduced to Bharatanatyam (South Indian form of Classical Dance) at the tender age of six. It was under the tutelage of Padmashri Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan of Ganesa Natyalaya that her talent was honed. Under her tutelage and blessings, Anupa completed her ‘Arangetram’ (Bachelor’s Degree in the Bharatanãtyam Dance Form) in 1996. Since her Arangetram she has also mentored and studied the dance form with the revered and top Bharatanatyam exponents of this generation - Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Kalaimamani Rama Vaidyanathan. The ancient classical dance form is her first love and profession.
Anupa has given recitals, kutcheris and lecture demonstrations of Bharatanatyam in India and a host of other countries and has choreographed a number of Bharatanatyam dance items for group and solo presentation. She has a number of productions to her credit. She has imparted Bharatanatyam training to many disciples in India and abroad. Most of her students have been deeply focused in the art form and continue to learn even today. She is a fellow of Indian Raaga, an organization based in the US.
Anupa was conferred the honorary title of “NATYASHREE” by Guru Kalaimamani Saroja Vaidyanathan for demonstrating mastery over movements to achieve grace, balance, suppleness, physical endurance and a faultless sense of rhythm.
Anupa is based in Atlanta and continues her journey through the world of dance with intensive training and rewarding teaching experience through her dance institution as well as a faculty in the department of dance at Kennesaw State University. She performs regularly in the US and India at various events while also teaching students the classical dance form. More than 175 of her students in India and abroad represent the true universal appeal of the Dance form of Bharatanatyam across barriers of race, profession and background.
Anupa was introduced to Bharatanatyam (South Indian form of Classical Dance) at the tender age of six. It was under the tutelage of Padmashri Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan of Ganesa Natyalaya that her talent was honed. Under her tutelage and blessings, Anupa completed her ‘Arangetram’ (Bachelor’s Degree in the Bharatanãtyam Dance Form) in 1996. Since her Arangetram she has also mentored and studied the dance form with the revered and top Bharatanatyam exponents of this generation - Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Kalaimamani Rama Vaidyanathan. The ancient classical dance form is her first love and profession.
Anupa has given recitals, kutcheris and lecture demonstrations of Bharatanatyam in India and a host of other countries and has choreographed a number of Bharatanatyam dance items for group and solo presentation. She has a number of productions to her credit. She has imparted Bharatanatyam training to many disciples in India and abroad. Most of her students have been deeply focused in the art form and continue to learn even today. She is a fellow of Indian Raaga, an organization based in the US.
Anupa was conferred the honorary title of “NATYASHREE” by Guru Kalaimamani Saroja Vaidyanathan for demonstrating mastery over movements to achieve grace, balance, suppleness, physical endurance and a faultless sense of rhythm.
Anupa is based in Atlanta and continues her journey through the world of dance with intensive training and rewarding teaching experience through her dance institution as well as a faculty in the department of dance at Kennesaw State University. She performs regularly in the US and India at various events while also teaching students the classical dance form. More than 175 of her students in India and abroad represent the true universal appeal of the Dance form of Bharatanatyam across barriers of race, profession and background.
Anupa has complemented her training in Bharatanatyam with an equally satisfying educational background from some of the best schools in India. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in English from the University of Delhi in the year 1998. She was awarded the “All Round Best Student of the Year” because of her good academic results and her excellent dancing skills, which brought a lot of fame to the institute. She then took up a post-graduate course in Mass Communications at YMCA, New Delhi.
Anupa has attended and successfully passed numerous arts and dance related courses with distinction and honor offered by the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (University of Dance and Music) in Bombay, India and Prayag Sangeet Samiti (Indian Association of Renowned Dancers and Musicians) in Allahabad, India. Anupa has also studied Bharatanatyam in theory, called the "NATYA SHASTRA" (an encyclopedia on Dance, Drama and Music) during her training as a dancer.
Anupa has attended and successfully passed numerous arts and dance related courses with distinction and honor offered by the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (University of Dance and Music) in Bombay, India and Prayag Sangeet Samiti (Indian Association of Renowned Dancers and Musicians) in Allahabad, India. Anupa has also studied Bharatanatyam in theory, called the "NATYA SHASTRA" (an encyclopedia on Dance, Drama and Music) during her training as a dancer.