Kaustavi Sarkar
Bharatanatyam Performer • Teacher
19+
Years of Experience
1+
Students Taught
1
Followers
About
Dr. Kaustavi Sarkar is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, educator, and scholar, known for her contributions to Odissi and her interdisciplinary approach to dance studies. Born and raised in India, she received conservatory-style training in a multitude of Indian classical dance forms, including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri,…
Journey Timeline
1999
Won Jugal Sreemal Annual Scholarship — Securing 1st position in Bharatanatyam at the Tagore Foundation Meet at Nehru Childrens' Museum.
2000
Stood First in Bharatanatyam Dance Competition — Held in Aurabinda Bhawan, Calcutta.
2006
Completed MS in Economics — From Texas A&M University.
2007
Began as Substitute Faculty and Repertory Member for Srjan — A premiere Institute for Odissi Learning.
2007
Represented India at Commonwealth Day Celebrations — In Sri Lanka.
2009
Became Faculty at Chhandayan — An institution run by Pundit Samir Chatterjee, in New York.
2009
Selected (deferred) Recipient of Protima Bedi Scholarship — From Nrityagram.
2010
Awarded Odissi Jyoti — At the 4th Naveen Kalakar, Bhubaneshwar.
2010
Awarded Singar Mani — At the 49th Kal Ke Kalakar Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai.
2011
Awarded Nalanda Nritya Nipuna — From Nalanda Dance Research Centre under Dr. Kanak Rele.
2011
Awarded Parampara Award — By The Odissi Forum, Kolkata.
2017
Completed PhD in Dance Studies — With a focus on Digital Humanities from The Ohio State University.
2017
Founded Dance N Community Research Institute (dNc) — Promotes South Asian dance through research, teaching, and community engagement.
2019
Organized an international conference on Odissi dance — At UNC Charlotte, drawing dancers, scholars, educators, and performers from across the globe.
2020
Received National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant — As a recipient.
2021
Choreographed and performed "Tridha: Three Parables" — For the Faculty Dance Concert at UNC Charlotte.
2022
First danced "Impossible Romance" — A solo work, in New Jersey.
2023
Received $10,000 NEA Grant for "ShilpaNatyam" project — In partnership with choreographer Maya Kulkarni.
2024
Published book "Dance Technology and Social Justice" — Featured in Dance Studies Association's 2024-2025 Reading Seminars.
2026
Performed at Mukteshwar Festival — Organized by the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Government of Odisha.
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Awards & Honors
- 1999 · Jugal Sreemal Annual Scholarship — Tagore Foundation Meet at Nehru Childrens' Museum
- 2000 · First in Bharatanatyam Dance Competition — Aurabinda Bhawan, Calcutta
- 2011 · Nalanda NrityaNipuna — Nalanda Dance Research Centre
- 2010 · Singar Mani — 49th Kal Ke Kalakar Sangeet Sammelan
- 2010 · Odissi Jyoti — 4th Naveen Kalakar
- 2011 · Parampara Award — The Odissi Forum, Kolkata
- National Scholarship holder — Ministry of Culture, India
- Baisakhi Award
- Rankholder in senior category Odissi dance — West Bengal Rajya Sangeet Academy
- 2020 · National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recipient — National Endowment for the Arts
- 2023 · Grant for Arts Projects — Dance — National Endowment for the Arts
Media Coverage
- Choreographing a Rebuttal: Thinking through Praxis in South Asian Dance Pedagogy
Journal of Dance Education
- Dance Professor Receives NEA Grant to Bridge Indian Dance Techniques
Inside UNC Charlotte
- Kaustavi Sarkar: Blending traditional dance techniques with new technologies
UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture
- Indian Classical Performing Artss - Odissi Classicaal Dance Performed by Dr Kaustavi Sarkar
Unique Music World - Facebook
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