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About Us

About Anupama Saha

​Anupama Saha is an accomplished Indian classical dancer and choreographer, with expertise in both ​Odissi and ​Bharatanatyam dance forms. She began her dance journey at the young age of six, nurturing a deep passion for Indian classical traditions. Over the years, she pursued intensive training in ​Odissi under the guidance of esteemed Gurus including ​Sharon Lowen, ​Jyoti Raut, and ​Tejas Hemsell, each of whom played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic expression. Complementing her Odissi background, she also trained in ​Bharatanatyam under the renowned Guru ​Jayashree Kumar, further broadening her classical repertoire.

Throughout her career, Anupama Saha has delivered numerous solo performances at prestigious events across India, the USA, and Canada. Her deep passion for dance education led her to establish the Ujjaini Dance Academy in Oakville, Canada, where she served as the founder and artistic director. Through the academy, she has played a pivotal role in training aspiring dancers and promoting Indian classical dance forms across North America.

Now based in Green Brook, New Jersey, Anupama continues her artistic journey as a dancer and choreographer. In May 2024, she presented Ujjaini Dance Academy’s inaugural performance in New Jersey at Tagore Hall, marking a significant milestone in the academy’s expansion into the region. Further solidifying its presence, the academy represented India in January 2025 at the prestigious New York Travel and Adventure Show held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. These milestones underscore the academy’s growing involvement in the local cultural landscape and its steadfast commitment to preserving and sharing the beauty of Indian classical dance throughout New Jersey and beyond.

Mrs. Anupama Saha

Owner, Director and Lead Instructor

Dance Forms

Odissi

Odissi or Orissi is one of the pre-eminent classical dance forms of India which originated in the Hindu temples of the eastern coastal state of Odisha in India. Its theoretical base trace back to ‘Natya Shastra’, the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text on the performing arts. Age-old tradition of Odissi is manifested from Odisha Hindu temples and various sites of archaeological significance that are associated with Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, the sculptures of which adorn dance postures of this art form. A form of illustrative anecdote of mythical and religious stories, devotional poems and spiritual ideas emoted by dancer with excellent body movements, expressions, impressive gestures and sign languages, its performance repertoire includes invocation, nrita, nritya, natya, and moksha. This dance form includes themes from Vaishnavism and others associated with Hindu gods and goddesses like Shiva, Surya and Shakti.

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam, a pre-eminent Indian classical dance form presumably the oldest classical dance heritage of India is regarded as mother of many other Indian classical dance forms. Conventionally a solo dance performed only by women, it initiated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and eventually flourished in South India. Theoretical base of this form traces back to ‘Natya Shastra’, the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text on the performing arts. A form of illustrative anecdote of Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas emoted by dancer with excellent footwork and impressive gestures its performance repertoire includes nrita, nritya and natya. Accompanists include a singer, music and particularly the guru who directs and conducts the performance. It also continues to inspire several art forms including paintings and sculptures starting from the spectacular 6th to 9th century CE temple sculptures.

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