Paramita Maitra

Paramita Maitra is a Kathak exponent working as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer in Kolkata. She serves as the Secretary of Nrityangan Kathak Kendra and is engaged in training students, organizing cultural programs, and promoting Indian classical dance through performance and education. She is empaneled as an artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Doordarshan and regularly conducts workshops in different countries.

Her association with dance began in childhood. Growing up in Murshidabad, she was exposed to various forms of folk dance and developed an early interest in movement and rhythm. With encouragement from her family, she continued her training and gradually moved into classical dance, focusing on Kathak. Her artistic development was shaped under the guidance of Pandit Birju Maharaj, whose mentorship influenced both her approach to dance and her outlook on life.

Alongside her performance career, Paramita has built a sustained practice as a teacher. Through Nrityangan Kathak Kendra, she trains students of different age groups and levels. She also curates and organizes dance festivals that provide performance opportunities for young and emerging artists in Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and related forms. These initiatives are aimed at widening access to classical dance and creating visible platforms for the next generation.

Her personal journey includes balancing professional life with family responsibilities. After marriage, managing household duties alongside regular practice and teaching presented challenges, yet she continued her work in dance. As a single mother, she trained her daughter and ensured her education while maintaining her artistic career.

Paramita often emphasizes learning as a continuous process and views teaching as a way to sustain both artistic growth and livelihood. Her approach to mentorship encourages students to pursue their interests with commitment and patience. Through performance, pedagogy, and cultural organization, her work contributes to the continuity and visibility of Kathak within contemporary contexts.