Surangama Dasgupta





	Qualifications
	Awarded Junior Diploma in Bharatnatyam from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad in 1973. Placed in First Division with distinction. Awarded “Sangeet Prabhakar” title for Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad in 1978. placed in First Division with distinction. Awarded “Sangeet Praveen” title (which is equivalent to Master’s Degree M.A.) for Kathak (Theory & Practical) from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad in 1991. Secured First Division and stood First in India in order of merit & was awarded Gold Medal. Currently she is pursuing research, i.e. "Sangitacharya" under the able guidance of Dr. N. P. Mohini. The subject is "Scientific Aspects of Kathak and their Applicability in Everday life". Graduate with Psychology Honours from Ranchi University(placed First Class Second) M.Sc. in Applied Psychology from Kolkata University and a Career Counsellor. Done Executive course in computer. Teaching Experience Programme Director of the International Partnership for Service-Learning. This is a not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1982 and is incorporated in New York State. Its objective is to serve students, colleges, Universities, service agencies and related organizations around the world by fostering programs that link volunteer service to the community and academic study. Taught classical and traditional Indian dances at Tagore Society, the most renowned cultural institute in Jamshedpur, from 1978 to 1983. Taught Kathak and folk dances in Malhar and Suratirtha, Kolkata's two well-known cultural institutes from 1991 to 1997. From the year 1997 teaching Kathak and folk dances at Bengal Music College, the oldest and the most prestigious institute of Kolkata. Senior students appearing for Lucknow Visharad examination receive lessons from Surangama. She is teacher-in-charge of Kathak and Head of the Dance Faculty. Conducts a flourishing dance centre 'Suchanda' at her residence, where students of all age groups are taught Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Folk Dance, Manipuri, Kathakali, Dance with Rabindra Sangeet and creative dance. The students appear for dance examinations conducted by Prayag Sangeet Samiti and Bagiya Sangeet Parishad. She has given lecture demonstration to foreign delegations from Germany and USA. She also gave demonstrations to artistes in Pina Bausch's group when they were in Kolkata, they video-filmed her dance. She taught Indian classical dances to the students of International Partnership For Service Learning(IPSL), which is based in New York for the last ten years. She was invited as Guest Professor by the Department of Applied Theater Science of Justus Liebig University (Giessen, Germany) to teach the Theory and Practice of Kathak Dance for the winter semester of 2005. She is the first Indian Kathak artiste to receive this honors. At present teaching at the PERFORMING ARTS THERAPY CENTRE at the RABINDRA BHARATI UNIVERSITY, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL.

	ATTAINMENTS
	Received Junior Diploma in Bharat Natyam from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, in 1973. Placed in First Division with distinction. Received "Sangeet Prabhakar" title for Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, in 1978. Placed in First Division with distinction. Received "Sangeet Praveen" title (which is equivalent to Master's Degree M.A.) for Kathak (Theory and Practical) from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, in 1991. Placed in First Division and stood First in India in order of merit and received Gold Medal. (Prayag Sangeet Samiti is the most renowned and prestigious University of Classical Dance and Music in India). Learned Kathakali and Manipuri, other two Indian classical dance forms from well known 'Gurus' for several years. Well versed in all the folk dances of India.
	Teacher / Disciple
	Was under the tutelage of Late Pandit Ramgopal Mishra, the famous exponent of Jaipur Gharana for seven years from 1971 to 1978. Was then tutored by Prabhushankar Mishra, well-known student of Birju Maharaj for two years from 1979 to 1981. Received special lessons from Guru “Nrityabaridhi” Bela Arnab of Lucknow Gharana for twelve years. Late Bela Arnab was the favourite disciple of Pandit Sambhu Maharaj, Jaylalji and Sohanlalji.. Birju Maharaj regarded her as one of the best Kathak exponents of India. Famous exponent of Jaipur gharana in Kathak, Late Pandit Ramgopal Mishra, gave lessons for seven years. Prabhushankar Mishra, well known student of Birju Maharaj, gave lessons for two years. Guru Natarajan, gave lessons for Bharatnatyam.
	Performance & Choreography
	Given many performances at Jamshedpur, Delhi, Kolkata, Noamundi, Joda, Simla and also at other places since 1965. Danced with renowned artistes like Shakti Nag, Naresh Kumar, Arati Mazumdar, Poly Guha and others. Choreographed many recitals based on classical and traditional Indian dances. Given several performances in Kolkata and outside since 1991. Warmly applauded by the media. Took part in dance recital on Delhi Doordarshan in the year 1984. Choreographed several recitals for Suratirtha, Nabagitanjali, renowned cultural institutes and Bengal Music College and also for her own centre, Suchanda. At present, engaged in conceiving dance movements based on Kathak with Western Classical Music and Rabindra Sangit. Visited Germany in 2000, 2003 and 2005 and gave recitals and conducted workshops in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Essen, Heidelberg, Geissen,and Paderborn. Also conducted workshops in Cologne and Marburg. Her Recitals were highly acclaimed. Conceived and choreographed a unique ballet in Kathak style based on the poems and songs of the great German poet, Heinrich Heine. This recital was performed at Max Mueller Bhavan, Indian Museum(during German Festival in India), Mahajati Sadan,Gyan Mancha and other places. It was highly praised by the connoisseurs and the media. Parts of this programme were also telecasted. Visited England, United States and Canada in 2002 as Indian Classical Dance Examiner, nominated by Prayag Sangit Samity and also gave performances over there. Performed at Nehru Centre, London and at Manitoba University hall,Canada in the year 2002. Visited Chicago as Kathak dance examiner in 2003 and also gave performance at International House Hall of Chicago University. Surangama is the first one to conceive and choreograph Sant Kabir's Doha in Kathak style, which was highly appreciated in India as well as in Foreign Countries. Conceived and choreographed Shakespeare's Macbeth in Indian Classical Dance form. She is the first one to present Macbeth in dance drama style, which was highly acclaimed by the media. Choreographed the IPTA (Bharatiya Gana Natya Sangha) songs inKathak and folkdance form, which was widely praised by the mass. Presented German poet Goethe's West-Oestlicher Divan in Indian classical dance style at the German Consulate in Kolkata. Choreographed and presented Schiller's "Ode To Joy" in Kathak style at the International Symposium on Schiller at Paderbom. Visited Germany in 2006 to conduct Kathak classes and workshops in Giessen and Marburg. Also gave performance at the Indian Embassy, Berlin. Visited Edinburgh in 2006 to conduct Kathak dance workshop and gave performances during the Edinburgh Festival. In 2007 visited Germany to teach Kathak to senior students, hold lecture demonstrations University of Heidelberg, Germany and joint performances with artistes of Flamenco dance. In 2008 visited Germany to teach Kathak and gave performances. Gave lecture demonstration at Justus Liebig University, GiessenGermany. In 2009 visited Germany for workshops and performances. Gave lecture demonstration at the Musicology Department of Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Also performed at the Indo-German Society, Giessen along with her German disciples.


	Other Attributes
	Examiner of Kathak dance at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata Gave judgment for Nehru Talent Search Competition for more than 6 years.. Examiner of theoretical & practical examination of Classical Indian Dances organised by Tagore Society, Jamshedpur Examiner of Prayag Sangit Samity, Allahabad.
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