Smt. Sumona Bhattacharya

🪔 About

Smt. Sumona Bhattacharya is a dedicated Kathak exponent, teacher, and the founder of Ghungroo School of Dance in Melbourne, Australia. Her journey in Kathak began at the age of seven in Kolkata, India, where she received extensive training under the tutelage of Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Kala Academy (SNA) awardee Guru Rani Karnaa, a guru-shishya relationship that continued until Guru Karnaa's passing in 2018. She also trained under Smt. Anuradha Guha. Bhattacharya's commitment to continuous learning is evident as she continues to receive coaching and mentoring from numerous Kathak stalwarts globally, including Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia, Padmashree Dr. Puru Dadheech and Vibha Dadheech, Vidushi Saswati Sen, and Pt. Rajendra Gangani. Having moved to Melbourne, Australia, in 1997, Sumona Bhattacharya has been instrumental in promoting Indian classical dance on foreign soil. She has performed in numerous stage shows in both India and Australia and has also produced and directed children's plays. In 2008, she established the Ghungroo School of Dance, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional North Indian Classical style of Kathak. As the founder and creative head, she focuses on imparting Kathak knowledge in an authentic yet accessible environment, fostering a love for the art form in students of all ages and skill levels. Bhattacharya is also deeply interested in the theoretical aspects of Kathak, actively reading, collecting publications, and translating valuable lectures to make them accessible to her students. Under her leadership, Ghungroo School of Dance has hosted significant events, including the first Kathak Rangmanch Pravesh and the first TEDx Talk on Kathak in the ANZ region.