Dance is my sadhana: Avirup Sengupta

For Avirup Sengupta, dance isn’t just performance—it's devotion. The Odissi dancer, choreographer, and founder of his own dance institution calls it “a Sadhana, a pure emotional connection” that began when he was just seven. Today, it’s not only his identity, but a lifeline that saw him through personal grief and helped him find purpose in teaching dance to specially-abled children.

How it all began

Avirup’s earliest brush with dance wasn’t on a stage or in a class. “When I was a child, I used to look after a didi in our neighbourhood who used to dance. Watching her made me curious, and eventually, made me fall in love with it,” he recalls. That spark turned into a flame, and there’s been no looking back since. “Choosing dance as my profession was never a second thought—it was something very close to my heart,” he says.

A divine stage in Vrindavan

Among the many milestones in his journey, one memory stands out vividly. “My first visit to Vrindavan with my troupe was truly divine,” he says. “The positivity, the energy, the power we felt after performing there is something I still struggle to put into words. The atmosphere was steeped in pure devotion.”

Sharing the stage with icons

Over the years, Avirup has worked with many well-known names in both classical and mainstream performance spaces. “I’ve had the privilege to work with Rituparna Sengupta, who has taught me so much and been a major part of my career,” he says.

A lifeline in a time of loss

In 2012, a personal tragedy shifted Avirup’s path. “When I lost my mother, I was emotionally and mentally broken. That’s when I first started working with specially-abled children,” he shares. What began in grief became a source of healing. “I didn’t have any formal training in teaching special children, but their love and blessings carried me through,” he says. “They’ve been a part of my life for the last 12 years, and I can’t imagine life without them.”

Looking ahead

Avirup continues to inspire others with his art and empathy. “This journey has been anything but ordinary,” he says. “But with every performance, every student, and every challenge, I am reminded why I chose this path—to dance, to heal, and to give back.”