Ananya Goswami

Bear

Established
Dance: Choreography

By: Gail Obenreder

“I strongly believe that art transcends borders, binding us together with its magical, healing, and therapeutic properties.”

Dancer and choreographer Ananya Goswami has truly transcended borders, both artistic and geographic. Goswami grew up in India, in a close-knit multi-generational family, and she began dancing at the age of three. Her parents quickly recognized both her talent and her dedication, and they introduced her to teachers “who nurtured my skills.”

India has a rich and wide-ranging dance culture, and Goswami began to study Kathak, one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Kathak originated from traveling bards in ancient northern India, whose work included dance, songs, and music, and it is primarily a narrative art form. By fifth grade, Goswami’s talent and dedication were recognized; she received the Indian government’s prestigious National Scholarship in Kathak and went on to dedicate herself to the rigorous art form.

Now the Artistic Director of Srishti-the Kathak Academy, the Head of Dance in a Non-Profit Org, Adjunct Kathak Professor in UD, Goswami organizes and choreographs several community focused cultural events each year. She’s also a choreographer bridging traditional and contemporary dance techniques and using “mythological stories, human emotions, and social awareness . . . to inspire and unite people.” She has performed extensively at both national and international platforms, showcasing her artistry at prestigious stage productions, esteemed cultural festivals, and high-profile charitable fundraising events. Thanks to today’s online platforms, her work has been widely showcased throughout the United States and in India and Canada. In addition to her performances, she has also served as a judge for prestigious national and international dance competitions, further contributing to the global dance community.

Goswami was “profoundly shaped” by the support and encouragement of her parents, and she is grateful as well to all the gurus (teachers) for “imparting their knowledge and guiding me at every stage,” including the legendary Kathak maestro (the late) Pt. Birju Maharaj Ji and Vidushi Saswati Sen Ji. As both a dancer and a choreographer, Goswami finds it a challenging goal to preserve the authenticity and beauty of her chosen classical form “amidst the rising popularity of non-classical styles, which often require less time, dedication, and perseverance.”

 

There are also financial challenges to her artistic practice –advanced training, intricate costumes, dance props, and travel costs – that require a delicate balance. But Goswami feels deeply rewarded by the opportunities she has been given “to preserve and share the timeless beauty” of her art form. Connecting with diverse audiences and “transcending language and boundaries” brings her “immense joy.” She also is fiercely dedicated to teaching others, finding it “a privilege and a profound source of satisfaction” to pass on the legacy of Kathak and impart its continued relevance in modern times.

In addition to her expertise in dance and choreography, Goswami is also a passionate visual artist who began visual arts training at an early age, parallel with her study of dance. Over the years she has honed her skills in multiple mediums – oil pastels, dry pastels, charcoal, acrylics, colored pencil, and oils – and has exhibited here and in India. Not surprisingly, she loves to spend time with her family – a continuing source of inspiration – and she relishes travel, something that “allows me to explore new cultures and draw inspiration for my work.”

Goswami considers the Fellowship “both an honor and a significant milestone” in her artistic journey. The award enhances her artistic credentials and provides financial assistance that will allow her to explore opportunities “previously beyond my reach.” She plans to focus on rehearsal and creating new works, as well as investing in equipment to enhance her stage productions and set up a fully equipped dance studio. The award not only “helps artists like me to advance our careers,” but it also enables her to continue connecting with a broader audience, a goal that has motivated Goswami since her earliest artistic days.

 

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