Prateesha Suresh

🪔 About

Prateesha Suresh is a prominent Indian classical dancer, recognized as a leading exponent of Sattriya dance, who also received formal training in Bharatanatyam. Her journey in dance began at the age of five, and she was initiated into Sattriya by her guru, the late Roseswar Saikia Barbayan. She pursued formal training in Bharatanatyam at the prestigious Kalakshetra in Chennai, graduating in the 1990s. After returning to Assam in 1989, Suresh continued her Sattriya training under Shri Ghanakanta Borah Barbayan and Shri Haricharan Bhuyan Barbayan, also learning the Kamalabari Style. In the same year, she established "Pratishruti Nrityashala" in Guwahati, where she taught Bharatanatyam. Following her marriage in 1993, she moved from Assam and dedicated herself to propagating Sattriya through performances, lectures, and lecture-demonstrations across India and internationally. Based primarily in Mumbai, Prateesha Suresh has been instrumental in promoting Sattriya dance for over three decades, contributing significantly to its recognition as the eighth Indian classical dance form by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000. She is known for spearheading the shift of Sattriya from a traditionally male-dominated art form in Assam into the mainstream. Her work includes developing new choreographies while preserving the traditional essence of the art form, encompassing music, dance, and costuming. Suresh has also reintroduced the Sattriya ranga and improvised the doti costume for female solo presentations, drawing inspiration from Assamese miniature paintings. In 2008, she founded the non-profit Pratishruti Foundation to further her mission of presenting choreographic productions, seminars, and dance festivals. She is also impaneled with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and actively pursues academic and independent research on various aspects of Sattriya.