Susan Mohip

🪔 About

Shrimati Susan Mohip, affectionately known as "Baby Susan," is a highly acclaimed Indian classical Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator from Trinidad and Tobago. Her career spans over 45 years, establishing her as a leading creative and film dancer and a significant cultural ambassador for her country. Mohip began dancing at the tender age of three, inspired by her mother, and quickly gained national recognition, winning numerous local competitions including Mastana Bahar and Twelve and Under. She received her initial Kathak training from Shri Pradeep Shankar before moving to India in 1989 on an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship. In India, she pursued intensive studies at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, where she earned a three-year Diploma Degree (BA Kathak) and a Post-Graduate Degree (MA Kathak) in 1994, both with First Division honors. Her esteemed gurus included Shrimati Reba Vidyarthi, Shrimati Durga Arya, and Shrimati Vaswati Mishra. Beyond Kathak, Mohip also delved into Indian folk dance, Hindustani classical vocal at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, and tabla under Shri Partho Roy. Upon her return to Trinidad and Tobago, Mohip co-founded the Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and established the Susan Mohip Dance Company, serving as its director and artistic director. She is also a classical Indian dance instructor and senior lecturer at the Academy for the Performing Arts, University of Trinidad and Tobago. Her extensive performance career has taken her on tours across the Caribbean, South America, Canada, India, and the USA, where she has performed for international dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of India, H.R.H. Prince of Wales, and the President of Botswana. She has also shared the stage with Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Asha Bhosle. Mohip is also a co-founder of the Sargam International Orchestra with her husband, Rana Mohip, and is its lead female singer. Her children, Ajnish and Sunanda Mohip, are also involved in the performing arts, with Sunanda notably performing steelpan in a fusion of Kathak and Caribbean music. Mohip continues to dedicate her life to preserving, promoting, and innovating Indian dance traditions, making invaluable contributions to Indian dance and culture in the diaspora. Awards & Honours: National competitions.