Santanu Roy

Santanu Roy

Bharatanatyam Performer | Educator | Choreographer

Santanu Roy is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist celebrated for his rigorous adherence to traditional technique balanced with a visionary approach to contemporary choreography. As an A+ Grade Artist recognized by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center (EZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and a Graded Artist of Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi, Santanu has established himself as a prominent and influential face in the classical dance landscape of India.

With a career spanning prestigious national and international stages, Santanu’s work is defined by rhythmic precision, profound expressive depth (Abhinaya), and a steadfast commitment to the evolution of the Kalakshetra Bani.

Santanu Roy

Artistic Credentials & Honors :

Santanu’s dedication to the integrity of Bharatanatyam has been recognized by India’s highest cultural bodies through numerous accolades :-

Santanu Roy

Global & National Presence

From the grand theaters of Moscow and Saint Petersburg to the historic cultural hubs of Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore, Santanu’s performances transcend geographical and cultural borders.

International Cultural Envoy :

Santanu has traveled as a cultural representative, sharing the beauty of Indian heritage with audiences around the world :

Russia : Represented India across eight cities—Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Pskov, Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, Ulan-Ude, Sochi, and Ufa—via the ICCR Festival of Indian Culture in Russia.

Bangladesh : Performed under the auspices of the High Commission of India in Dhaka.

The National Stage :

He is a regular presence at India’s most prestigious festivals and venues, including:

Major Festivals : NCPA (Mumbai), India International Centre (Delhi), Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival, India Habitat Centre (Delhi), and the Bangalore International Centre etc.

Distinguished Platforms : The Horizon Series (ICCR), Nalanda Nritotsav (Mumbai), 54th All India Bhaskar Rao Nrittya and Sangeet Sammelan, and Pracheen Kala Kendra (Chandigarh) and many more.

Special Invitation : Personally invited to perform at the 25th Vasantotsav by the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj.

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Santanu Roy

Pedagogy & Leadership

Beyond his solo career, Santanu is a passionate educator, arts administrator, and collaborative visionary.

He serves as the Co-Director of Bandish Arts, an international platform established during the global pandemic to provide visibility and professional opportunities for artists worldwide, fostering a resilient global performing arts community.

As a Senior Repertory Member and Teacher at Angamantra - An Institute of Dance, Santanu mentors the next generation of dancers, focusing on technical foundations and the theoretical nuances of the Shastras. He currently performs in major productions composed and choreographed by his Guru, and frequently features in acclaimed duet performances with Sri Samrat Dutta under the Angamantra banner.

As a Senior Repertory Santanu frequently engages in cross-genre and experimental projects with leading artists in Odissi, Manipuri, and Kathak. Notable collaborative works include:

Kameswari – The Epitome of Desire: A synthesis of Odissi and Bharatanatyam.

A Journey – Chakravidhya to Mahavidhya: A thematic Bharatanatyam exploration.

Santanu Roy

Academic Foundation

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Bharatanatyam :

Tamil University, Thanjavur.

Advanced Mentorship :

Trained under Sri Samrat Dutta (Top Grade Artist of Doordarshan, ICCR Empanelled, and recognized by the Ministry of Culture) & the late Padmabhushan Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar (Chennai).

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Santanu Roy

Gallery

Santanu’s dedication to the art form has been recognized by the highest cultural bodies in India :-

Testimonial

Santanu's abhinaya for the entire sequence of events was quite appropriately done, going into the nuance of each tale. Praiseworthy was his act as Vasudev. Finally. he depicted the Kalki avatar. With the vocalist singing jaya Narayan, Jaya Hari, vishwaroopam and chaturbhuj, Santanu prostrated himself. The choreography was by Samrat Dutta, music and mridangam by Shankar Narayanswami, with nattuvangam by Mohana Iyer, vocals by Brinda Radhakrishnan, flute by Rupak Mukherjee and violin by satyavishal

Shveta Arora - Kala Upasana

21^st July 2022 || India Habitat Center, New Delhi

An excellent Bharatnatyam dancer Santanu Roy trained by Samrat Dutta in his rendition of Surdas Bhajan "Jay Narayana Brahma Parayana Sripati Kamala Kantam" displayed all the three aspects of dance Nritta, Nritya and Natya with great elan. He praised lord Krishna. He was led to this choice because he dedicated his performance to Vishnu. According to Krishna Katha, three stories are incorporated in the charanam part of this piece, where the poet says "Vasudeva Grihe Janama Lio Hey, Nam Dharo Yadunathan, Krishna Roop Dhare Asura Sanhare Kamsa Kesi Nee Hantam" - As Krishna he killed kamsa and later, he freed the world of demons "Kubalaya Peeda" and "Bakasura" respectively. The piece ended with a sankeertanam where the jeevatma merged with paramatma. The piece showcased dwikala Jathi and "Dasavataram". His aramandis, hasta mudras and jatis were enviable. The Total Music Arrangement by Shankar Narayananswami was another reason for the dancer's success. Santanu Roy is a promising young Bharatanatyam arist from kolkata presently learning under the able guidance of Sri Samrat Dutta (Kolkata). He has Completed M.A in Bharatanatyam from Tamil University "Thanjavur".

Tapati Chowdhurie - Classical Claps

4^th March 2021 || Kolkata

The lone male soloist of the festival, kolkata based Bharatanatyam artiste Santanu Roy has emerged as a potential solo dancer. Groomed by gurus Jalsa Chandra and Samrat Dutta in his home city, his devotion for Bharatanatyam led him to the land of Bharatanatyam for a master's degree from the Tamil University and guidance of maestro Prof. C.V. Chandrashekhar in Chennai. His concert that comprised an Alarippu and a Surdas bhajan with three excerpts from Krishna Katha (Tales of Krishna) spoke volumes of Santanu's grip over pure and expressional elements of dance.

Shyamhari Chakra

14^th May 2022 || Mumbai, Maharashtra

Penultimate dancer was Shantanu Roy in Bharatanatyam, slender in appearance, with a Master's degree from Tamil University Thanjavur as well as a few awards, and now receiving training under Samrat Dutta. He began with an invocatory bhajan, Jai Narayana Brahma Parayana Sripati Kamala Kantam..., a Surdas composition from the 16th century, praising Krishna in Braibhasha. The bhajan went on to narrate three episodes in the charanam segment: Vasudeva grihe janama lio hey, nam dharo Yadunathan... and concluded with Krishna roop dhare asura sanhare Kamsa Kesi nee hantam... The episodes etched out the birth of baby Krishna in the prison of Kamsa, followed by the killing of the demons Kubalaya Peeda and Bakasura. Belying his svelte demeanour, Santanu went from strength to strength in his abhinaya and when he finally concluded with a Sankeertanam where the jeevatma and the paramatma ultimately unites, reaching a crescendo, the small audience clapped synchronously and then rose on their feet giving him a spontaneous standing ovation - a phenomenon rare in this part of the world2! The music was in ragamalika and talamalika, with admirable choreography by Samrat Dutta

Padma Shri. Dr. Utpal K Banerjee

26^th February 2021 || Kolkata

Santanu Roy

Contact & Collaborations:

For performance bookings, Work-Shops, lecture-demonstrations, and collaborative inquiries:

Call Me

+91 9330357529

Whatsapp No.

+91 8697319532

E-mail

rsantanu144@gmail.com

For physical & Online Classes contact:

Mobile No.:
+91 9330357529
Whatsapp No.:

+91 8697319532
E-mail:
rsantanu144@gmail.com
Address:

114H/1A Selimpur Road Dhakuria, 114/H/1B, Dhakuria, Selimpur, Garfa, Kolkata, West Bengal 700031

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