Pooja Sengupta Dancer

Pooja Sengupta, 30, is a dancer and choreographer. She is also artistic director at Turongomi repertory. Pooja started to learn classical dancing from a very young age. But it was in 2011 when one of her teachers motivated her to pursue her dreams, and from there on, she started to take dancing more seriously. This week, Y&I talked to her about her work and future plans.

 

 

 

 

 

Sheikh Iraj  

How long have you been dancing?  Who inspired you?

I started to learn classical dancing when I was three. My mother took me to Dhrupad Kala Kendra where I got to learn from eminent dancer Shukla Sarkar. Initially, it was my mother, Nandita Sarkar, who introduced me to all genres of art, like singing, dancing, recitation, acting and painting. Soon, I realised that dancing is something that completes me. As a professional dancer and choreographer, I have always been inspired by British dancer Akram Khan.  

What is dancing to you?

It is my way to express myself. The expression involves rhythm with which we perform, but for me, it is always the rhythm of my heart. My performance is driven by my passion for dance. It’s not only about learning skills and techniques and exhibiting them with music, but something truly spiritual, far beyond the margins of right and wrong.  

Please tell us about your dancing style.

As far as my work is concerned, I don’t follow anyone. I design my productions with my innovative ideas, and mostly try to use creative steps that I create as extension of the moves I have learned as a Bharatanatyam, dancer, with my little knowledge of classical jazz, yoga, pilates and martial art forms. I am trying to create an individual style, not for myself but for my country, trying to create a new genre of dance that will truly represent a glorious Bangladesh of contemporary times.

Please tell us about your routine.  

I have a pretty simple routine. I regularly go to the gym and practice dancing. It takes me about two hours to complete that. I follow a balanced diet and I go to bed early.  

Please tell us about your biggest achievements, so far.

I personally don’t feel I am an achiever because I haven’t done my best yet. But there are certain moments of pride in my life, like producing and directing the first dance theatre in Bangladesh, ‘Waterness’, founding the first dance repertory of the country, doing the first animation dance in the country ‘Resolution’, getting selected for mainstream international festivals abroad. Also, representing Bangladesh at the longest dance marathon for Guinness World Record, based on creations of Rabindranath Tagore, organised by Visva-Bharati (in Santiniketan, India) with 125 artistes from six countries; and being invited by the president of India as a professional dancer and choreographer and delivering a speech at the Darbar Hall (of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi), representing the youth of Bangladesh.

What’s your future plan?

Turning Turongomi into a full-fledged company and to promote professionalism in the field of dance.

Pooja Sengupta Dancer

Pooja Sengupta, 30, is a dancer and choreographer. She is also artistic director at Turongomi repertory. Pooja started to learn classical dancing from a very young age. But it was in 2011 when one of her teachers motivated her to pursue her dreams, and from there on, she started to take dancing more seriously. This week, YI talked to her about her work and future plans. Sheikh Iraj How long have you been dancing? Who inspired you? I started to learn classical dancing when I was three. My mother took me to Dhrupad Kala Kendra where I got to learn from eminent dancer Shukla Sarkar. Initially, it was my mother, Nandita Sarkar, who introduced me to all genres of art, like singing, dancing, recitation, acting and painting. Soon, I realised that dancing is something that completes me. As a professional dancer and choreographer, I have always been inspired by British dancer Akram Khan. What is dancing to you? It is my way to express myself. The expression involves rhythm with which we perform, but for me, it is always the rhythm of my heart. My performance is driven by my passion for dance. Its not only about learning skills and techniques and exhibiting them with music, but something truly spiritual, far beyond the margins of right and wrong. Please tell us about your dancing style. As far as my work is concerned, I dont follow anyone. I design my productions with my innovative ideas, and mostly try to use creative steps that I create as extension of the moves I have learned as a Bharatanatyam, dancer, with my little knowledge of classical jazz, yoga, pilates and martial art forms. I am trying to create an individual style, not for myself but for my country, trying to create a new genre of dance that will truly represent a glorious Bangladesh of contemporary times. Please tell us about your routine. I have a pretty simple routine. I regularly go to the gym and practice dancing. It takes me about two hours to complete that. I follow a balanced diet and I go to bed early. Please tell us about your biggest achievements, so far. I personally dont feel I am an achiever because I havent done my best yet. But there are certain moments of pride in my life, like producing and directing the first dance theatre in Bangladesh, Waterness, founding the first dance repertory of the country, doing the first animation dance in the country Resolution, getting selected for mainstream international festivals abroad. Also, representing Bangladesh at the longest dance marathon for Guinness World Record, based on creations of Rabindranath Tagore, organised by Visva-Bharati (in Santiniketan, India) with 125 artistes from six countries; and being invited by the president of India as a professional dancer and choreographer and delivering a speech at the Darbar Hall (of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi), representing the youth of Bangladesh. Whats your future plan? Turning Turongomi into a full-fledged company and to promote professionalism in the field of dance.