Dance.

I am a performer/ choreographer, and the co-director of a performance collaborative -  Mitradheya.

I have received extensive training in classical Manipuri dance under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Poushali Chatterjee in late Oja Bipin Singh’s style for over 30 years. I have expanded my practice with further instructions in various sub-genres of Manipuri from Padma Shri Darshana Jhaveri of Jhaveri Sisters troupe, Padma Shri Ima Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi, SNA Awardee Prof. Sruti Bandopadhyay of Sangit Bhavan, Shantiniketan, and SNA Awardee Oja Ranjeet Chingtham Khuman from Imphal, Manipur.

An empanelled artist with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). India, I have received Nritya Visharad in classical Manipuri dance from Pracheen Kala Kendra (Chandigarh), and a Diploma in classical and contemporary dance and stagecraft from Children’s Little Theatre (Kolkata). I am an active member of Nandanik Movement Arts (Kolkata) since its inception in 1996. 

Besides classical Manipuri performances as a soloist and ensemble artist, my choreographies have been commissioned by the South Asian Arts-UK (Leeds), Tower Hamlets Council (London), Gati Dance Forum (New Delhi), Temple of Fine Arts (Kuala Lumpur), Künstlerhaus Mousonturm (Frankfurt), and International Young Choreographers’ Project (Kaohsiung). I have performed extensively, globally. I have presented my dance and research across India, and in Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

As a performance-maker, through a methodology of research-led-practice, I use embodiment, archives, narration, sound, and text to create new choreographies. I have delivered Non Traditional Creative & Research Outputs for symposia, gardens, museums, and heritage sites, and am committed to increased community access and enrichment of cultural experience through arts and ephemera. 

Research-led-Practice performances: 

Don't Hold Back the River, 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de-OCG_rIfM

Unhusked, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNJR4o6_1gQ

Videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@debanjalimanipuri