Aaheli Chakraborty
Durham, North Carolina
Aaheli's Kathak journey began under her mother, Smt. Swapna Chakraborty, at the age of 3. At 7, she joined workshops with Pandit Birju Maharajji, later training with him and Saswati Sen in Delhi. She was also trained under the guidance of Smt. Moli Roy and Padatik Dance Centre in Kolkata. In 2016, she earned the National Scholarship Senior and pursued master's degrees in Kathak and Marketing Management. Teaching started at 14, assisting her mom at her institute—Ankush Kala Bhavan. She gradually took on independent teaching, handling 300 students there.
Aaheli's talents reached global stages, performing in ICCR tours in South Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and Reunion under Smt. Maitreyee Pahari. She also performed in "Mughal-e-Azam the Musical" in India, Muscat, Dubai, and Doha. Solo acts in Germany and United States showcased her skills.
Aaheli's film debut was in "Bajirao Mastani," featuring in the enchanting 'Mohe Rang Do Laal,' choreographed by Pt. Birju Maharajji. Her journey is a blend of tradition, education, and global performances, highlighting her dedication to Kathak.