About Us | Banichhanda Dance Academy

Meet our Guru & Founder

Smt. Madhumita Chakraborty, founder of Banichhanda Dance Academy, is a distinguished Kathak teacher, choreographer, cultural educator, a professional chef and visionary with over two decades of dedicated practice, teaching, and artistic leadership in the classical arts. Known for her mastery of pure Kathak, she is also acclaimed for her fusion choreographies and thematic productions. She has transformed students’ lives through dance, nurturing depth, discipline, and expression. As a Guru, she guides the academy with three core principles: attention to detail, personal attention to every student, and the inculcation of discipline in self.

She holds a Sangeet Visharad in both Hindustani Classical Music and Rabindra Sangeet from Rabindra Bharati University, under Guru Mukuta Sarkar, Kokata. In addition to her formal training and degrees in Kathak. She has trained under the guidance of Smt. Ketaki Bhattacharjee, Rabindra Bharati University, Padatik Centre for Performing Arts Theatre and Guru Puru Dadheech. She has also learnt through various intense workshops conducted by Pt. Birju Maharaji. She has also worked in prestigious platforms such as SPICMACAY and under Pt. Rajendra Gangani ji. Before founding the academy, she served as the Head of Cultural Departments in leading schools across Delhi and Indore, spending over 12 years designing arts curriculam, guiding cultural programs, and mentoring young learners.

Smt. Madhumita Chakraborty self-composed an original musical rendition of Vande Mataram, which she performed along with her choir group of students. This composition earned the first position at the state-level competition among 50 schools in Delhi and was featured in The Hindustan Times, Ghaziabad edition, on 29th November 2002. A firm believer in the transformative power of the arts, Madhumita Ma’am has conducted numerous workshops, community programs, and outreach initiatives across India, including work with underprivileged children and senior citizens. She remains committed to uplifting young dancers by providing opportunities, mentorship, and platforms that help them build confidence, identity, and purpose through dance.

In 2016, she founded Banichhanda Dance Academy in Mumbai which is a space created to uphold classical rigor while making the art form meaningful and accessible to learners of all backgrounds.

About Banichhanda

Banichhanda Dance Academy was founded in Mumbai ten years ago with the vision of preserving the purity of Kathak while building versatility & confidence in students and exploring the various vast possibilities in classical dance. The academy is officially affiliated with Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Prayagraj, and serves as an authorized examination centre for annual Kathak certifications. While rooted deeply in classical training, Banichhanda also specializes in semi-classical and fusion choreographies, allowing students to explore creativity while maintaining a strong traditional & technical base.

At Banichhanda, learning goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. We actively create opportunities for students to gain real-world exposure through stage performances, city events, workshops, music and dance shoots, and our grand annual showcase, where students present their growth, technique, and artistry. We regularly encourage participation in external master workshops, including Saswati Sen ji’s annual workshop under the legacy of Pt. Birju Maharaj ji, enabling students to learn from revered figures in the field.

Our approach focuses on holistic development, nurturing discipline & versatility in every dancer. Banichhanda is more than an academy; it is a community where students grow as artists and as well-rounded individuals.