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Tanwi Bhattacharya

Founder & Creative Director

Tanwi Bhattacharya is a trained performer in Indian classical dance forms Bharatanatyam and Kathak, who began her artistic journey at a very young age. She is trained under eminent Gurus in India like Dr. Thankamani Kutti and Guru Smt. Girija Balagopal, Kohinoor Sen Barat, Poulomi Chowdhury and Bratati Chowdhury and Sourav Roy. She continues to learn and consult with her gurus to this day. 

Tanwi holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Scottish Church College and St. Xavier’s University. She worked in the IT sector with companies like IBM India and HSBC Bank, while performing in prestigious festivals across Kolkata and other Indian cities. 

Her teaching career began at Kalamandalam Calcutta and Kohinoor Dance Academy. She later founded Nikkan Dance Academy at 2008 in Kolkata, India. Today, Nikkan operates in both India and Scotland and is registered as a Charitable Organization under OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator). Her focus lies in performance, community outreach and preserving cultural heritage through education.

After 12 years in IT, Tanwi transitioned to dance full-time. She has performed in Europe and across the different cities in UK and her current base, Edinburgh. In addition to performing, she works closely with communities to help South Asian people stay rooted in their heritage.

Tanwi’s artistic journey is marked by innovative projects such as Rhythm of The Silence (2023), supported by Creative Scotland, which explores the concept of “dance without music” to highlight dance as a complete visual art form. She also directed Equality – The Unprecedented Cult (2023), a musical adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika, reimagined to transcend language barriers and emphasize inclusivity in classical performance. She directed PALASH - The Flame of the Forest which was showcased in Tagore Geddes Festival (2024) by Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies (ScoTs).

Through Nikkan, Tanwi aims to create a nurturing platform where children and adults alike can explore the richness of Indian dance while developing confidence, discipline, and joy in artistic expression. Her leadership and artistic vision continue to inspire a growing community of learners, making Nikkan not just a dance school, but a vibrant cultural hub for Indian performing arts.

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Prof G D Jayalakshmi

Chairperson

Prof G D Jayalakshmi (commonly called Jaya) is an award-winning filmmaker, researcher, media consultant and Professor of Creative Practice at Edinburgh Napier University.

Jaya’s industry experience in film, TV and radio includes 12 years at the BBC making mainly documentaries in the Arts, Education and Culture Department and 8 years at her own production company, Jayamac Productions, before joining the University sector.  But she has never stopped making films. 

Having created international content throughout and won several international awards for her films (Going Home, Arranged Marriage, The Cat and the Juggler to name a few), she looks for meaningful opportunities to collaborate across cultures.  Her latest offering, Dance of the Seasons, is a Royal Society of Edinburgh funded documentary dance film.

She has held teaching and senior administrative roles in the UK and China. She is enthusiastic about nurturing younger filmmakers while also firmly committed to her own professional practice.

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Dr Bashabi Fraser

Secretary

Dr Bashabi Fraser, CBE, HonFASL is Professor Emerita of English and Creative Writing, Edinburgh Napier University and Founder Director of Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies (ScoTs). She is also an Honorary Fellow, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh, Honorary Fellow of the Association of Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS), Scotland and a Royal Literary Fund Fellow. She is the Chief Editor of the academic and creative peer-reviewed international e-journal, Gitanjali and Beyond and is on the Editorial Board of Writers Mosaic (a division of the  Royal Literary Fund) and of several international journals.

Her work traverses continents in transnational literary projects. She has authored and edited 31 books, published several articles s and chapters in academic and creative books/journals and has been widely anthologized as a poet.  Her recent publications include Habitat (2023), Lakshmi’s Footprints and Paisley Patterns: Perspectives on Scoto-Indian Literary and Cultural Interrelations (2023), The Patient Dignity (2021) and Rabindranath Tagore (2019).

Her awards include the Honoris Causa, D. Litt from Swami Vivekananda University (2025), Special Felicitation, Jadavpur University (2025), Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque from the Asiatic Society, Indian Ministry of Culture 2023, the Swami Vivekananda University’s Vivek Jyoti Sanman, 2023, the UK Bengali Convention (UKBC) Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022, the Dr Maheswar Neog IPPL Award for Poetry, 2022; Kavi Salam from Poetry Paradigm and Voice of the Republic in India in 2019; the Word Masala Foundation Award for Excellence in Poetry in 2017, Special Felicitation as a Poet on International Women’s Day by Public Relations Society of India, March 2017, Rabindra Bharati Society Honour, 2014, Women Empowered: Arts and Culture Award in 2010 and the AIO Prize for Literary Services in Scotland in 2009.

Bashabi has been an Adjudicator for several national and international creative writing competitions. Recently, she has been a Judge for the Non-Fiction Book Prize and the Scottish National Book of the Year Award for Saltire Society, Scotland (2022) and the Kavya Prize, sponsored by Glasgow University (2022).

Bashabi is Honorary Vice President of the Association of Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS), an executive committee member of Scottish PEN, Writers at Risk and Writers for Peace Committees (Scotland), a Trustee of Patrick Geddes Trust and the Kolkata Scottish Heritage Trust, Patron of the Federation of Writers (Scotland). She is the founder and President of the Advisory Board of the Intercultural Poetry and Performance Library (IPPL) in Kolkata; she is on the Advisory Board of the V&A Museum in Dundee and the Indian Association of Scottish Studies, led by Bankura University. Bashabi is on the Editorial Board of several international peer-reviewed journals. 

Bashabi has a Sangeet Visharad in Kathak (Distinction) and has taught at the Indian Music and Dance Collective, Dance Base and Dance for All Studios. She has been a choreographer and director of many dance performances.

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Mriganka Chatterjee

Treasurer & Advisor

With 15+ years of experience as a Risk Analytics Manager, he brings a strategic and analytical lens to the board of Nikkan Dance Academy. Outside his professional role, he's deeply passionate about the performing arts, actively involved in drama direction and cultural initiatives. he's honored to support the institute’s mission of fostering creativity and artistic excellence. He has organised the 1st Bengali Drama Festival in Scotland, where 3 dramas were performed from Glasgow and Edinburgh and he directed the drama from Edinburgh.

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Tuhin Bhattacharya

Advisor & Technical Manager

With over a decade of experience as a Data Scientist, Tuhin brings a deep understanding of technology and data-driven decision making to Nikkan Dance Academy. He actively supports the academy by advising on technical matters and offering guidance during challenges, helping streamline operations and enhance the institute’s digital presence and by using his knowledge and skillset on music and arts.

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Soumili Guha Roy

Administrator

Soumili is trained in Indian classical dance forms—particularly Bharatanatyam—as well as Bollywood style dance. Her mission is to promote Indian cultural heritage abroad and to connect the younger generation with the discipline and beauty of the arts. 

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Soumili is a highly qualified academic. She holds a postgraduate degree in Zoology, with B.Ed., and is currently pursuing M.Ed. She strongly believes in the fusion of education and culture to shape well-rounded individuals.

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Floria Paul

Faculty

Floria Paul is a dedicated Indian Classical Dancer with an experience of over 14 years who began her journey in the Indian dance form at a very young age. In her initial training she developed a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam.

Currently, she is continuing her dance education under the mentorship of Tanwi Bhattacharya in Edinburgh. In addition, she has a deep understanding of Nritya Natya, a theatrical form of classical dance that combines expressive storytelling with performances intricate rhythmic movements. She honed these skills under the eminent teachers Guru Debajit Bal and Guru Sanjib Sikdar in India, learning techniques such as Abhinaya (expressive gestures), Natya (dramatic storytelling) and precise rhythmic footwork.

She is as skilled in Bharatanatyam as she is in Kathak. Her passion for the art form is evident in her commitment to refining her skills and exploring the depth of this classical tradition in a new cultural setting. Alongside her dedication to dance, she has excelled academically. She completed her secondary education in India and is pursuing an HNC in Software Development at Edinburgh College, showcasing her versatility and drive in the arts and technology.

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Aksshaya Venkataraman

Faculty

Aksshaya Venkataraman is a South Indian classical dancer, artist, choreographer, instructor, and creative producer. Trained in Bharatanatyam since the age of three, she continues her artistic journey under the guidance of Guru Smt. Tanwi Bhattacharya.

She has performed across temple stages, corporate events, and cultural platforms in both India and the UK. While Bharatanatyam remains her foundation, her passion lies in dance as a medium of expression, connection, and storytelling.

Aksshaya enjoys teaching, curating performances, and creating spaces for others to engage with this vibrant art form. She is always open to meaningful collaborations with artists who share her love for culture and creativity. Alongside her dance career, she is pursuing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, exploring the intersection of tradition and technology.

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Niksha Nandakumar

Junior Trainee Teacher

Niksha is an 11-year-old dance enthusiast with a deep passion for movement and expression.
She serves as a Junior Bollywood Dance Trainer at Nikkan Dance Academy, guiding children under 8 with joy and care.
Trained under the expert mentorship of Tanwi and Floria, she continues to grow as a dedicated performer.
Alongside her teaching role, she is also a committed classical dance student at the academy.
Her love for dance shines through in every step, inspiring young learners around her.

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Ramprasad Madhura

Member of Working Committee

Ramprasad Madhura is a passionate and results-driven software professional delivering robust, scalable solutions across diverse domains. Known for a collaborative mindset and a strong sense of ownership, he brings both technical expertise and a people-centric approach to every activity he take on.

Outside of work, he is a proud father to an 11-year-old budding classical dancer, whose dedication and discipline continue to inspire him daily. Balancing professional responsibilities with active parenting has taught him the value of patience, adaptability, and the importance of nurturing talent — whether at work or at home. He believes in maintaining a positive, humorous outlook in all aspects of life, making him a dependable and approachable person both at work and beyond.
He is thankful to Nikkan and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to contribute his skills and be part of a team that values growth and collaboration.

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Shivani Sharma

Member of Working Committee

She is someone all can trust and depend on. She has a variety of hobbies like reading, traveling, music, cooking and enjoy everything that life has to offer from good friendships to good food and good make-up. 

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Radhika Bhalerao

Member of Working Committee

Radhika is a mother of 2 and her daughter has been a student of the academy since its inception. She is a consultant by profession and a passionate Badminton player. She is an active Indian community unifer, always on the move and making connections. She is a family oriented and socially active person and thrive on teamwork both on and off court.