Veronica Tjerned

🪔 About

Veronica Tjerned is recognized as the foremost and only professional Kathak dancer in Sweden, actively working as a choreographer, organizer, pedagogue, and producer both nationally and internationally. She began her journey in classical Indian dance in 1986, initially studying South Indian classical dance forms in her teenage years. In 1999, Tjerned made the decision to focus exclusively on Kathak, believing in mastering one style in a lifetime. Her extensive training includes studies at Bharata Vidya Bhavan in London with Sushmita Ghosh, followed by intensive studies in India where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Kathak. In 2013, she was awarded an ICCR scholarship to further her studies at Rhythmosaic in Kolkata under Dr. Mitul Sengupta. Beyond her classical dance education, Tjerned holds a degree in dance pedagogy from DOCH (Dance University College Stockholm), with a specialization in holistic training and teaching children. In 2018, she completed a Master's degree in dramaturgy and directing movement-based stage craft from STDH. Tjerned is the artistic director of Indisk Dansakademi (Indian Dance Academy), an organization founded in 2004 as Den Asiatiska Dansakademin (DADA), dedicated to establishing and promoting classical Indian dance and music in Sweden. She also leads the dance troupe Kathakkompaniet, composed of her senior students, and the youth dance group Ghunghuroos. As a respected educator, she teaches Kathak at Kulturskolan in Stockholm and is known for her pedagogical approach, particularly for children and individuals with functional variations. Tjerned also studies tabla under Shree Debasish Mukherjee, with whom she collaborates to compose and record music for her teaching and performances. Awards & Honours: ICCR Scholarship (2013).