About
Biography
Saswati Sen is an Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer associated with the Lucknow gharana of Kathak. She trained under eminent gurus from a young age, including Smt. Reba Vidyarthi, and later became a senior disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj, under whom she continued advanced training in the traditional guru-shishya parampara.
She has been closely associated with Kalashram in New Delhi, the institution founded by Pandit Birju Maharaj, where she has been involved in teaching and performing. Over the years, she has worked as a performer, assistant, and collaborator in numerous productions connected to the Lucknow style of Kathak.
Her contribution extends beyond stage performance. She has assisted in the documentation, recording, and publication of Kathak material related to the Lucknow repertoire. These efforts include work connected to Bindadin Maharaj’s poetic compositions and structured Kathak pedagogy resources used by students of the gharana.
In recognition of her contribution to Indian classical dance, Saswati Sen received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004. She is also a recipient of honors such as the Sanskriti Award, Shringar Mani Award, and the Critics’ Recommendation Award.