Professional Profile of Baneeta Nag: Where Dance Becomes Purpose, Service and Empowerment
ವೇದಿಕೆಯಾಚೆಗಿನ ಸಾಧನೆ: ಕಲೆ, ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಮತ್ತು ಸೇವೆಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಬದುಕುಗಳನ್ನು ರೂಪಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬನೀತಾ ನಾಗ್
Baneeta Nag is a Kathak dancer, teacher, cultural organiser and social contributor whose journey reflects the transformative power of passion when it is guided by purpose. Born and raised in Kolkata in a middle-class family that deeply valued Indian classical arts, she received unwavering encouragement from her parents to pursue dance from a young age. Her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Barrackpore Army, instilled in her the enduring values of discipline, responsibility, service and social contribution. Inspired profoundly by the life and compassion of Mother Teresa, she developed an early commitment to serving those in need.
Her journey as a teacher began unexpectedly at just 19, when she was given the opportunity to train girls from an orphanage for an Independence Day performance at Christ School, Kolkata. Teaching these young girls transformed her understanding of dance—from a personal passion into a powerful medium to build confidence, happiness and hope. She realised that true fulfilment lies not only in achieving for oneself, but also in helping others discover their own potential.
While pursuing her Master’s degree from Presidency College, Kolkata, Baneeta continued teaching and deepened her Kathak training under several respected Gurus, including Shri Pradeepta Niyogi Ji, Smt. Kajal Mishra Roy Ji and Karnataka Kalashree Shri Mysore B. Nagaraj Ji. She currently continues her artistic journey under Shri Subrata Pandit Ji, further exploring the Lucknow Gharana.
After marriage, she received strong support from her husband to continue her artistic aspirations. Her move to Bengaluru opened a new chapter, where she worked with Delhi Public School while pursuing Kathak. In 2015, she founded Atulya School of Performing Arts, creating a platform dedicated not merely to producing performers, but to nurturing confident individuals and connecting young people with India’s rich cultural heritage.
Her commitment to service returned powerfully when she began teaching Kathak at Thaye Mane, an orphanage. Over a year, she trained around 40 girls, with 19 appearing for their first-level Kathak examination through Bongiyo Sangeet Parishad and all securing distinction. She continues to support the organisation.
Her social commitment extends to community service through the Lions Club and animal welfare, including support for abandoned dogs at Maruti Dog Shelter, Kodathi–Sarjapur. She has also trained in animal communication and worked on approximately 40 cases.
As a cultural organiser, she has helped create platforms such as Nritya Samarpan and Nritya Kala Utsav, promoting traditional heritage and opportunities for solo dancers, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Doordarshan Kendra Bengaluru. As a performer, she has appeared on prestigious platforms including Doordarshan, Kathak Kendra New Delhi, historic forts and the Khelo India University Games 2022. She is also a graded artist of Doordarshan Kendra, Karnataka.
For Baneeta, dance gives identity, teaching gives purpose, service gives fulfilment and challenges give strength. Her dream is not merely to perform on stages, but to create stages for others—making her journey a powerful expression of the Dashabhuja spirit: a woman who can nurture, lead, create, serve, learn and rise while holding firmly to her dreams.
