Debashree Roy

🪔 About

Debashree Roy, also known as Debasree Roy, is a multifaceted Indian personality renowned as an actress, dancer, choreographer, politician, and animal rights activist. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India, she received her initial dance training from her mother, her eldest sister, and Bandana Sen. She later underwent formal training in Odissi under the tutelage of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. As a dancer, Roy is celebrated for her innovative approach, which includes stage adaptations of various Indian folk dances and the creation of new dance forms that blend elements from Indian classical, tribal, and folk traditions. She also explored fusion art in her performances. In 1991, she established her own dance troupe, Natraj. Under the banner of Natraj, she choreographed and presented several acclaimed productions. Her dance-drama "Vasavdatta" (1991), based on Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Abhisar," was particularly lauded for translating classical Indian dance forms into contemporary movements and consistently played to full houses. Other notable productions include "Swapner Sandhane," which showcased the folk dances of Bengal, and "Bichitro," Natraj's first international production, which garnered critical acclaim in Western media for its presentation of diverse Indian folk dances. She also presented "Navras," an innovative dance form integrating classical, tribal, and folk elements. Debashree Roy also founded the Debasree Dance Academy (DSDA) in Kolkata, which serves as a platform for dance training. While widely recognized for her extensive acting career in Bengali and Hindi cinema, for which she has received over forty awards including a National Award, three BFJA Awards, five Kalakar Awards, an Anandalok Award, and the Banga Bibhushan (2014), her contributions to dance are also significant. Awards & Honours: National Award (1995), BFJA Award (1992), BFJA Award (1997), BFJA Award (2000), Kalakar Award, Anandalok Award, Banga Bibhushan (2014).