I am Chandreyee Basu Thakur, an Indian classical dance practitioner specializing in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam. Dance has been an integral part of my life since childhood, shaping who I am as an artist, teacher, and cultural ambassador.

My formal journey in dance began at the age of four when I started learning from the late Shri Shanti Bose. Two years later, in 1981, I began my Bharatanatyam training under the guidance of the legendary Dr. Thankamani Kutty at Kalamandalam, Kolkata. In 1991, I began studying Mohiniattam under Dr. Thankamani Kutty as well. Over the years, I have developed a deep commitment to both traditions and continue to expand my knowledge through advanced, research-based training under Dr. Neena Prasad.

My journey as a performer has taken me across India and to audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Southeast Asia. In 1990, I received the West Bengal Government award in Bharatanatyam. In 1992, I had the privilege of performing at the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in the presence of Prince Charles and other dignitaries. I have also performed for television channels in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. In 2006, I was invited to perform and choreograph the inaugural ceremony of the North American Bengali Conference in Houston, Texas.

Teaching has always been an important part of my artistic journey. Until 2014, I taught Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam at Kalamandalam, Kolkata. I also taught academics as a Grade 4 homeroom teacher at Modern High School for Girls, where I had the opportunity to combine education and the arts. For special school occasions, I choreographed, directed, designed, and organized dance performances and competitions, giving me valuable experience in developing productions from concept to presentation.

Today, I am the Artistic Director of Moonbeam Center of Performing Arts in Minnesota, a nonprofit organization where I teach Indian classical dance to students from diverse backgrounds through in-person, hybrid, and virtual programs. I am also a teaching artist at Compas Nonprofit Organization.

As an artist, I see dance as a powerful language for storytelling and human connection. Through fluid gestures, facial expressions, eye movements, and rhythm, dance allows us to communicate emotions and stories beyond words. My work explores how Indian classical dance can authentically honor its rich cultural traditions while creating meaningful connections with contemporary and diverse audiences.

My vision is to share the joy of Indian classical dance with the world—to create spaces where people can explore, express, and understand their emotions through movement. I believe dance can bridge cultural and generational gaps, bring diverse communities together, and strengthen our connections with one another.

For me, dance is not simply a performance. It is a journey of expression, connection, culture, and continuous discovery.