Areas of Specialization

In Practical Teaching: Kathak

In Theory of Dance: All the 8 major Classical Indian Dance Styles:

a) Historical Perspective
b) Present Status
c) Comparative Studies with other Indian and Foreign Dance Styles.

In Performances: Solo Kathak Recitals & Group Choreographic Compositions. (cf. Choreographic Creations/Programs Offered)

Awards & Honours

• 2008: Citations in the 19TH UGC-CEC All India Educational Video Competition held at New Delhi in Oct-Nov 2007 in the categories Best Programme in E-content and Best Presenter / Anchor Person. Citation Award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan Auditorium, New Delhi in April 2008.
• 2008: Lifelong Achievement Award given by Rabi-Sudha of Agartala, Tripura.
• 2006: Felicitation by Sarbabharatiya Sangeet-o-Sanskriti Parishad on the occasion of its Annual Convocation at Mahajati Sadan, Kolkata Plaque and shawl presented by President Pdt. Manilal Nag.
• 2006: Felicitation by Alaap, Batanagar at the Batanagar Sports Club. Plaque and shawl presented by Pdt. Budhaditya Mukherjee.
• Mar.10, 2005: Felicitation by Mahila Sanskritik Sammelan at the West Bengal Bangla Academy Auditorium, Kolkata.
• 2004: Mayor’s Citation from Mayor Bill La Fortune, Mayor of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
• 2004: Governor’s Commendation presented in recognition of contributions to Art by Brad Henry, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, USA.
• 2002: Felicitated by Angana, Kolkata.
• 2002: Awarded title of Jewel of Bengal by Rotary Club of Calcutta, Victoria.
• 2002: Lifetime Achievement and Vocational Excellence Award given by the Rotary Clubs of Lansdowne, Ballygunge and Cossipore at the Gyan Manch, Kolkata.
• 2002: Vocational excellence award given by Rotary Club of Narendrapur.
• 2001: Felicitated for life-long achievement by the Rabindra Bharati Soiety, Kolkata. Chief Guest: H.E. Sri Viren J. Shah, Governor of West Bengal: Rathindra Mancha, Kolkata.
• 2001: Awarded Nritya Sagar Title by Surabharati Sangeet Parishad, Kolkata.
• 2001: Felicitated by Braja Sundari Mahila Samity.
• 2000: Felicitated for life-long achievement and contribution in the field of Kathak by Nrityam Shikshayatan.
• 1998: Outstanding Citizen of Calcutta conferred by the English Speaking Union on the occasion of the 308th Birthday of Calcutta. (Other two recipients: Ajoy Chakraborty & Ananda Shankar).
• 1998: Conferred title of Nrityanandan for life-long achievement in dance by Suranandan Bharati: Rathindra Mancha, Calcutta.
• 1996: Citation at the North American Bengali Conference, Houston.
• 1996: Dishari Award for Best Dancer of the Year.
• 1994: Mahakal Sanman by Madhuban, Ujjain.
• 1994: Honored by the Moscow News Club.
• 1994: Citation by Nupur Jhankar, Ontario, Canada.
• 1994: Outstanding Young Person Of Calcutta, awarded by the North Calcutta Jaycees.
• May 15, 1994: The day was proclaimed Amita Dutt Day in the city of Cincinnati, USA. The Mayor presented a Certificate for Outstanding Contribution in the field of International Understanding through the Arts and presented the Key to the City of Cincinnati thereby proclaiming the recipient an Honorary Citizen.
• 1994: Citation at the North American Bengali Conference, Chicago.
• 1989: Citation for Outstanding Service from District Governor Kamal Seth of RI Dist. 329.
• 1989: Citation for Outstanding Service from District Governor L.R.Vasudeva of RI Dist. 307.
• 1989: Citation for Outstanding Service from District Governor Shyamal Datta of RI Dist. 329.
• 1989: Indo-Soviet Maitree award.
• 1989: Michael Madhusudan Dutta Memorial award.
• 1987: Title of Nritya Urvashi conferred by the Punjab Nritya Academy, Patiala.
• 1987: Honored by Saikat, San Diego, USA.
• 1987: Honored by the Moscow News Club.
• 1983: Honored by Bangiya Pandit Parishad
• 1983: Honored by IISCLO, Benaras.
• 1983: Award by Sanskriti Parishad, Durgapur.
• 1982: Dishari Award for Best Dancer of the Year adjudged by All India Critics’ Association
• 1981: Title of Singar Mani conferred by the Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay.

Membership of Professional Bodies, Committees, Social Service Organizations

• Member, Advisory Board, West Bengal State Music Academy
• Member, Governing Body, Kolkata Kala Kendra.
• Life Member, The Asiatic Society.
• Honorary Secretary and Artistic Director, Ananda Chandrika (A Cultural Organization with branches in many parts of WB)
• Edited the Uday Shankar Centenary folder published by the Rabindra Bharati University (December 2000).
• As Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, member of all important Committees at the Planning Board, Executive Council, Court, Finance Committee, Higher Degrees Committee, Faculty Council, Board of Studies, and all important committees of Rabindra Bharati University.
• Member, Executive Committee of Surnandan Bharati, Sarba Bharatiya Sangeet Parishad and Sura Bharati Sangeet Parishad.
• Life Member, Alumnae Association of Loreto House School.
• Member, Calcutta University PG English Department.
• Life Member, Dance Group Federation.
• Honorary Member, Bengali Society of Florida, USA.
• Coordinator of UGC Refresher Course Centre in Performing Arts, Rabindra Bharati University, in 2000-2001 and 2004-2005 and Visual Arts in 2000-2001.
• Served as the Convener, Culture for the Biswa Banga Sammelan Millennium Festival.
• Formerly, Member, Executive Committee, Anti-Pollution Society of India.
• Formerly, Member, Executive Committee, West Bengal Academy of Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts.
• Served in the roles of International Service Officer, Secretary & President of the Inner Wheel Club of Calcutta SE. Also served in the District Cultural Committee of Inner Wheel and Rotary International District 3290
• Served in the roles of Chairman, District Affairs and Pubic Relations, Director and Editor of the News Bulletin ‘Chaka’ of Rotary Club of Calcutta.
• Artistic Director for Kathak Mahotsav 2000, organized by the Kathak Kendra, New Delhi.
• President’s Guide (Bharat Scouts and Guides).
• Trustee, Ranjabati Foundation Trust, Kolkata.

Performances on TV

• Performing regularly for the Doordarshan, Kolkata since 1981.
• Three recitals in National Program of Dance: 1987, 1995, 2008.
• Regular EMRC (UGC programs) on Kathak, Body Language and Teaching Kathak.
• Innumerable recitals, talks and interviews for Door Darshan 7, Door Darshan 1 (National), Ztv, Etv, CCCN, Tara Bangla, Taaza Khabar, 24 Ghanta, Alpha Bangla and others.
• Performed for ARD, Germany, MTV, Hungary, BBC and many TV stations in the USA.

 

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