Check Out Tejeswini Chakraborty’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tejeswini Chakraborty.

Hi Tejeswini, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am Tejeswini Chakraborty. I was born in West Bengal, India and had to move several states before we settled in Hyderabad as my mother had a transferable job. My mother, Lt. Col Chandana Bondyopadhyay, was always interested in dance and music but as the eldest daughter in an Indian family, she never got the opportunity to pursue her hobbies. Therefore, as I was born, her only goal was to let me do what I wanted. She not only allowed but wholeheartedly supported and encouraged me to follow my dream, which was to dance. She enrolled me in “Sri Rama Nataka Niketan” – my dance institution in Hyderabad, where under the able guidance of my gurus – Sri V.S. Ramamoorthy and Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy, I trained in Bharatanatyam for 15 years. I started learning at the age of 8 and soon dance class became my home and my teacher – Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy – became my second mother. I trained day and night to perfect the art form and also learned the basics of Odissi, Kuchipudi and Kathak (a few other Indian classical styles). I participated in a few televised dance reality shows in India and also won more than 50 dance competitions. Sri Rama Nataka Niketan is not just a dance class but a place where we, as students, find our voices, become responsible, professional, and learn much more than just Bharatanatyam, which has shaped me into the human I am today. Bharatanatyam is a 2000 year old Indian Classical dance form and with learning such ancient art form comes a huge responsibility of keeping it alive while preserving its authenticity along with making it relevant to the current audience. My gurus have always been huge advocates of bridging the gap which helped me in transitioning my journey from being a classical dancer to adapting to Bollywood and modern styles after I moved to the US in 2023. As I moved to the USA to pursue masters in English Language and Literature from CSULB, I messaged Joya Kazi, who I had met in 2017 in India at a dance reality show, and she instantly asked if I would be interested in joining her dance company. Then began my journey to versatility. Joya didi (didi is elder sister in Hindi), trained me more in Kathak and other commercial styles as well. She inspired me further as she is the flag bearer of Indian culture in Hollywood! She stood out to me as she, without compromising the traditions, values and authenticity of Indian culture and dance, made it accessible to the western audiences, while also presenting modern Bollywood appropriately. I understand that I have a lot more to learn and my only goal is to keep learning and improving each and every day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As my mother was very supportive, I would say that my road has not been too bumpy. I have definitely been a victim of inferiority-complex but my mother, teacher and Joya didi have always shown immense support and trust in me. My mother has always been my hype person, while my teacher always says “You do your best, God will see the rest” and Joya didi has taught me that “If you don’t get a seat at the table, build your own table.” With such amazing women constantly supporting and encouraging me, I don’t find any challenge unconquerable.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a 25 years old, Indian classical dancer with 17 years of experience and training in Bharathanatyam. I specialize in Indian classical dance but have also mastered the art form of performing on a plate (a traditional performance mostly done in Kuchipudi) and I have 7 world records to my credit for dancing on inverted mud pots while balancing 3 pots on my head and two lit candles in my hands. I am always up for revolution and constant freshness and challenges is what I seek. I am proud of my journey, from a little girl who just wanted to perform to an artist who is capable of coming up with incredible ideas, creating unique choreographies and executing them with perfection. I think what sets me apart is my drive for knowledge over popularity, authenticity over number of views and originality over trendiness. I truly believe that hard work and perseverance can change your fate! Currently I am a principal dancer at Joya Kazi Entertainment. I have performed in two national tours, been live on FOX and PBSSoCal X The Music Center, and I have also assisted Joya Kazi on Saweetie’s Shot O’ Clock music video and the Netflix X Joya Kazi Never Have I Ever Masterclass. I would say that I am known for my dedication to Indian Classical Dance forms and my constant efforts in helping it come to the foreground.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Life is all about taking risks if we want to grow and move forward. While it’s often comforting to stay in our comfort zones and settle for what is familiar, it’s only by embracing risk that we can truly unlock our full potential and achieve what we’re capable of. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was deciding to move to a new country. Back in India, I was safe, secure, and surrounded by familiar faces and good company. But deep down, I felt it was time for me to step out and carve my own path. I believed I was capable of more, and everything I’ve accomplished since coming to the U.S. would never have been possible if I hadn’t taken that leap.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejeswini_chakraborty/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tejeswinichakraborty519