Maitreyee Pahari

🪔 About

Maitreyee Pahari is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and cultural curator, born in Midnapur, West Bengal. Her artistic journey began with a deep fascination for traditional music and dance forms, leading her to explore rural Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha with the aim of preserving and promoting India's traditional culture. She received a National Scholarship to train in Kathak at Kathak Kendra in Delhi under the tutelage of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. Furthering her classical education, she graduated with a gold medal in Manipuri Dance from Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata. Maitreyee Pahari has also learned Chhau, incorporating it into her choreographic works. As a choreographer, Pahari is known for conceptualizing and directing large-scale dance productions and cultural spectacles that blend multiple dance traditions with striking visual design, elaborate costumes, vibrant music, and dynamic stagecraft. She founded the Lok Chhanda Cultural Unit, a performing arts collective dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and contemporary presentation of India's traditional dance traditions. Through Lok Chhanda, she has choreographed and coordinated numerous national and international cultural events for prestigious organizations such as the ICCR, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and various Ministries of the Government of India. Her productions have been showcased globally at major festivals and cultural summits across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. She has also choreographed for private institutions and participated in numerous dance festivals across India and abroad. Maitreyee Pahari is also a teacher, having led master classes and having a large number of students. Awards & Honours: National Scholarship, Gold Medal in Manipuri Dance, Charles Wallace Fellowship (2003), Exceptional Women of Excellence Award (2019), MIICCIA Legend Enterprise Award (2026).