Bharatanatyam · Kathak · Rabindra Nritya
Learn to dance the way it was taught to us.
A small academy near Lake Market, Kolkata. Classical and folk dance for children from age 5 and adults of any age. Twenty-seven years, one guru, and a stage every December.
- 1998Teaching since
- 180+Students now
- 5Dance styles
About the academy
Started in a Lake Market drawing room in 1998
Nupur Nritya Academy began with six students and a harmonium in Sharmila Sen's family home. Today we have two practice halls with sprung wooden floors, five dance styles and students from Kalighat to Jadavpur.
We keep batches small, usually ten to fourteen students, so every child is seen. Beginners spend the first three months on posture, rhythm and the basic adavus or tatkaar before any item is taught.
Students who stay with us sit for Prayag Sangeet Samiti and Bangiya Sangeet Parishad examinations each year. Many have gone on to perform at Rabindra Sadan and Nazrul Mancha.
"A dancer is made by repetition, not by talent. Come regularly and the rest follows."
What we teach
Five styles, one roof
Each style has its own batch and its own teacher. Pick one to start with. Many students add a second style after a year.
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Bharatanatyam
Adavus, jatis and the margam from Alarippu to Thillana. Taught in the Kalakshetra style by Sharmila Sen.
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Kathak
Lucknow gharana. Tatkaar, chakkars, tukras and abhinaya. Tabla accompaniment at every Saturday class.
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Rabindra Nritya
Tagore's dance-dramas and songs. Chitrangada, Shyama and Chandalika pieces for the Pochishe Boishakh and Pujo stage.
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Bollywood & fitness
Film songs, one new routine every two weeks. Good for weddings, college fests and simply for sweating it out.
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Kids' foundation (5–7)
Rhythm games, basic postures and simple folk items. One hour, lots of fun, and a stage slot in the annual show.
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Group & wedding choreography
Sangeet performances, school annual functions and Pujo pandal programmes. Four to eight sessions, your song list.
Our guru
Sharmila Sen
Sharmila learnt Bharatanatyam for fourteen years under Guru Thankamani Kutty in Kolkata, and Kathak at Padatik from 1989 to 1994. She has performed at Dover Lane, Uday Shankar Nrityotsav and in Dhaka and Singapore.
She has run Nupur since 1998 and still teaches every beginner batch herself. Two senior students, Ritika and Anwesha, assist with the children's and Bollywood batches.
- Sangeet Prabhakar (Bharatanatyam), Prayag Sangeet Samiti
- Nritya Visharad (Kathak), Bangiya Sangeet Parishad
- Graded artist, Doordarshan Kolkata, since 2004
- Examiner for Prayag Sangeet Samiti school-level dance
Batches & fees
Weekly timetable
Admission is open all year. The first class is free. Fees are monthly, paid by the 7th, cash or UPI.
| Batch | Days | Time | For | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids' foundation | Sat, Sun | 9:00 – 10:00 am | Age 5–7 | ₹800 |
| Bharatanatyam – beginners | Mon, Wed | 5:00 – 6:15 pm | Age 6+ | ₹1,200 |
| Bharatanatyam – senior | Mon, Wed, Sat | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | 3+ years training | ₹1,600 |
| Kathak – beginners | Tue, Thu | 5:00 – 6:15 pm | Age 7+ | ₹1,200 |
| Kathak – senior | Tue, Thu, Sat | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | 3+ years training | ₹1,600 |
| Rabindra Nritya | Sun | 10:30 am – 12:00 noon | Age 8+, adults | ₹900 |
| Bollywood & fitness | Mon, Fri | 7:00 – 8:00 pm | Age 12+, adults | ₹1,000 |
One-time admission ₹500 includes the practice saree or kurta. Ghungroo (₹650 a pair) are bought separately after the third month. Siblings get 10% off the second child.
Annual show
Nupur Utsav, every December
Every student who has attended for six months dances on stage. Costumes, make-up and the hall are arranged by us. Families get four passes each.
- 27th yearNupur Utsav 2026
- Sun 20 DecMadhusudan Mancha, 5:30 pm
- 140 dancersOn stage last December
- ₹1,800Costume and make-up per student
Gallery
From class to stage
Parents and students
In their words
My daughter started at six and is now in the senior Bharatanatyam batch. She passed her Prayag fourth year with distinction. Sharmila di is strict about attendance and we are glad for it.
I joined the Kathak beginners' batch at 34 thinking I was too old. Two years on I danced at Nupur Utsav. The Saturday tabla class is the best hour of my week.
Visit us
Two minutes from Lake Market
Address
Nupur Nritya Academy12A Lake View Road, 1st floor
Lake Market, Kolkata 700029
Landmark: opposite Lake Market bus stand, above the pharmacy
Office hours
- Monday – Friday4:00 – 8:30 pm
- Saturday9:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Sunday8:30 am – 1:00 pm
- ClosedDurga Pujo week, Kali Pujo
First class free
Come and watch a class this week
Message us on WhatsApp with your child's age (or yours) and the style you are curious about. We will tell you which batch to come to.