Dr Jagyaseni Chatterjee

🪔 About

Dr. Jagyaseni Chatterjee is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste, writer, researcher, and educator based in Chennai, India. With over two decades of experience, she integrates performance, pedagogy, cultural research, and writing in an interdisciplinary manner. Jagyaseni holds a B.Sc in Geography from Loreto College and a Master's in Human Rights from Calcutta University. Her artistic journey significantly evolved under the tutelage of Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, Founder-Director of Sri Mudhraalaya, a premier Bharatanatyam institution established in 1993. Under Dr. Ramaswamy's guidance, Jagyaseni emerged as a promising soloist and a senior performer in the repertory group. She further pursued her academic interests, completing an MA in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras and a doctoral thesis from Kancheepuram University, which innovatively suggested 15 'New Nayikas in Love' beyond Bharata's Ashta Nayikas. Currently, Dr. Chatterjee serves as a Senior Faculty and Head of Administration at Sri Mudhraalaya, actively contributing to teaching, production, and digital outreach. She is an empanelled artist with the South Zone Cultural Centre and a graded artiste of Doordarshan. Her performances include solo recitals at major dance festivals such as Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Brahma Gana Sabha, Natyanjali Festivals, Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, and Karthik Fine Arts. Beyond Bharatanatyam, she has trained in Kuchipudi at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, performing in productions choreographed by Padma Bhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam, and also holds training in Mohiniattam and Rabindrasangeet. A prolific cultural writer, she has contributed to publications like The Friday Review (The Hindu) and The New Indian Express, and currently serves on the editorial team of Sruti Magazine. She is also the author of 'Learn Dance with Suki', a children's activity book on dance. Awards & Honours: Nadanamamani (2021), Natya Ratna (2018), Vrindrani Award (2022), Natya Kala Sundari, Best Dancer / Outstanding Best Performer, Special Commendation from Bharat Kalachar (2022), National Fellowship Holder from the Ministry of Culture.