Divya Chowdhary

🪔 About

Divya Chowdhary is an accomplished Odissi dancer, performer, and educator, known for her contributions to the classical Indian dance form in North America and beyond. Born in Sweden and raised in America, Chowdhary embarked on her Odissi journey under the tutelage of Smt. Aparupa Chatterjee, a prominent figure in the Odissi tradition and the Artistic Director of the Odissi Dance Company (ODC). Chowdhary is a lead performer and faculty member of ODC, an organization dedicated to erasing cultural and ethnic barriers by promoting and preserving the diverse cultural and performing arts heritage of South Asian dance, particularly Odissi, to American and global audiences. Chowdhary's dedication to Odissi culminated in her successful 3-hour solo dance debut, known as Manchpravesh, at the Rudder Theater in 2014, performed under the rigorous guidance of her guru, Smt. Chatterjee. Her captivating performances have graced stages across North America, Qatar, and India, showcasing her mastery of the Srjan style of Odissi. She regularly performs as a team leader in group, duet, and solo choreographic works, including those of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, and Smt. Aparupa Chatterjee. In 2016, she premiered Dr. Aparupa Chatterjee's 'Ye Ho Vithala' in India, participating in prestigious events like Odissi International and Kelucharan Guna Keertanam in Bhubaneshwar and Kolkata. Her artistry has garnered critical acclaim, with her exposition in Kolkata being described by The Statesman newspaper as "one of the most graceful and charming performances of the evening." Her profound commitment to Odissi has been recognized with several accolades, including the Outstanding Student Award from Texas A&M University in 2015, acknowledging her significant efforts in advancing and preserving the Indian classical dance form. She also received the Natyanjali Dance Award, an honor presented by the Indian Embassy in Qatar. Beyond her classical dance pursuits, Chowdhary is also a professional Bollywood performer and choreographer, demonstrating her versatility in various dance forms. She officially joined the Odissi Dance Company in 2012 and currently serves as a dedicated faculty member, imparting her extensive knowledge and passion for Odissi to students in the Greater Seattle Area, contributing to the next generation of Odissi dancers. Awards & Honours: Outstanding Student Award (2015), Natyanjali Dance Award.