Meet Tanmoy Samaddar, a determined Odissi dancer who overcame obstacles to achieve his dreams. Soma profiles his journey – exclusively for Different Truths.

Tanmoy Samaddar is an Odissi dancer who grew up in the village of Bekidanga on the outskirts of Raiganj. He developed a natural affinity and love for dance from an early age. Despite facing various adversities, he came to Kolkata with an indomitable hope to pursue his passion for dance.

Tanmoy’s love for dance led him to explore the world of classical dance, and he soon found his guru in the form of Smt. Shatabdi Mallick. Under her guidance, Tanmoy learned about classical dance and began to feel the melodious rhythm waves of Rasa Bhava with every step he took. His dance style began to emerge beautifully and precisely.

With his interest in dance reaching its peak, Tanmoy started getting opportunities to perform in various parts of India, first as a group dancer and then as a solo performer. He continued to hold the hand of his guru in classical dance for the past few years.

One day, an opportunity arose for a dance competition at the West Bengal State Academy, and Tanmoy won first place at the state level. This led to his participation in India’s famous Nama Dance Festival, Udaya Shankar Dance Festival, where he received a call for a solo dance performance. On December 11, 2022, Tanmoy performed a solo dance that received accolades from renowned Dance Guru Smt Thankamuni Kutty and several talented artists.

Odissi dance is characterised by its deflection of the hip, poses with three body bends (Tribhnaga), and the arching design of hand movements with rounded, fluid body movements. This dance form has a sensuous charm that is unique and captivating. Tanmoy’s dedication to this dance form has enabled him to highlight the beauty and grace of Odissi to the world.

Tanmoy’s journey in dance has been challenging, but he never gave up on his passion. He continued to work hard and hone his skills, and his dedication and perseverance paid off. His success is a testament to the fact that one can achieve one’s dreams with hard work, determination, and guidance.

Tanmoy’s story inspires anyone who wants to pursue their passion. It teaches us that no matter the circumstances, we can achieve anything we set our minds to with dedication and hard work. Tanmoy’s love for Odissi dance has taken him to new heights, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Classical dance is a beautiful and intricate art form that requires years of practice and dedication. Tanmoy’s story is a reminder of the importance of having a passion and pursuing it with determination and hard work. It is also a testament that we can achieve remarkable things with proper guidance. Tanmoy’s journey is a true inspiration for anyone who wants to follow their dreams and make them a reality.

Photos sourced by the author

Soma Bhowmik

Soma Bhowmik wears many hats. She is attached with the creative world as an artist. Her subject is oil painting on canvas. She is an actress and an educationist, running her own Montessori school. Above all she has a golden heart, which gets reflected from her writings as a poet and storyteller.

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