Beyond 9-to-5: Rituparna's Belly Dance Journey
- Aswati Anand
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
"I am a very big advocate of having a life beyond the regular 9-5 job," says Rituparna Roy Chowdhury, senior dancer and instructor at the school. "I am not a full-time dancer - I am also an engineer working for rail and metros."
For Rituparna, the two worlds have never been in conflict. One satisfies her analytical mind, while the other fuels her creativity. Together, they have shaped a philosophy she calls Beyond 9 to 5 - the belief that our profession doesn't have to be our only identity, and that making space for creativity can enrich every other part of our lives.
Ironically, her own journey into belly dance began by accident.
"I was pub hopping with friends in Hauz Khas Village when I happened to look up and saw a sign outside the Banjara School of Dance. Curiosity got the better of me, and I signed up. Looking back, that random glance changed the course of my dance life."
Her relationship with dance, however, began much earlier.
Rituparna had been learning Bharatanatyam since she was five years old. "I was put into a dance class when I was in KG!" she laughs. Years of classical training gave her discipline, structure and precision. Belly dance offered something entirely different.
"It gave me the freedom to move with curiosity instead of chasing perfection. It helped me connect with my body in a completely new way."
What started as curiosity gradually became a lifelong practice. The more she trained, the more fascinated she became - not only by the movements themselves, but by the history, music and cultural traditions that shaped them. Even while building a career as an engineer, she found herself making her way back to the dance studio. "It stopped feeling like a hobby. It became part of who I am."
Her Journey With Nrityakosh
In 2018, Rituparna joined Nrityakosh as part of the Fusion batch. Her Bharatanatyam background naturally drew her towards the school's fusion vocabulary, but over time, her interests expanded into Oriental and folk styles. She became a regular performer in the school's productions and later an integral member of what would become the Nrityakosh Company. The pandemic marked another turning point. With more time to devote to training, she immersed herself even more deeply in dance. "I was inspired by Deba to take this forward," she says. "Teaching became my way of giving back to the belly dance community."
She joined the Nrityakosh faculty in 2022 and has since become known for her precise, detail-oriented approach in the classroom. While she believes technique is important, she sees it as only one part of a student's journey.
"I want my classes to be a space where people can forget the stress of the week, laugh a little, move without judgement and surprise themselves with what they're capable of."
For her, success isn't measured by perfect technique alone. "If someone walks out feeling lighter, more confident and thinking, 'I can't wait to come back next week,' that's a successful class for me."
What Inspires Her Dancing?
Teaching also allows her to share what inspires her own dancing.
Nature has always been a source of ideas. Her first 15 minute solo composition, Roots and Reflection, drew parallels between the resilience of plant roots and the human experience. Then, it is Rabindra Sangeet. As someone who has experienced moving cities in her adult life, Rabindra Sangeet is more than songs, it is a memory of home. Travel continually introduces her to new rhythms, cultures and ways of expressing joy.
She is equally captivated by old grainy YouTube videos of legendary Egyptian dancers - not just for their movement, but for the glimpses they offer into everyday life, music and culture. Understanding where a dance form comes from, she believes, is just as important as learning the movements themselves.
All of those experiences percolate into her dancing. "I also believe dance is one of the most honest ways to communicate emotion - whether it is strength, playfulness, vulnerability or celebration."
Her Most Memorable Moments As A Teacher
Some of her favourite moments as a teacher are also the smallest ones.
She loves witnessing students who arrive convinced they have "two left feet," only to find themselves performing on stage months later. Then there are the quiet breakthroughs - the instant a difficult technique suddenly clicks. Or when "a student's eyes light up when they feel the music."
"Watching confidence grow, seeing strangers become friends, and celebrating every breakthrough—big or small—is easily the most rewarding part of teaching."
Her own weeks continue to be a balancing act.
Monday to Friday are dedicated to work. Weekends are spent teaching, rehearsing, performing, or training. In between, she still finds time to plan her next trip, spend time with loved ones, and continue her own Bharatanatyam practice.
"The lines blur sometimes," she admits. "Work spills into weekends, and dance finds its way into weekday evenings. It's a constant juggle, but one I've learned to embrace."
Ask her what advice she'd give someone considering their first belly dance class, and the answer comes without hesitation. "Don't wait to feel confident before you start. Everyone begins somewhere. Focus less on looking perfect and more on enjoying the process. Progress comes from consistency, not perfection. And remember- everyone you admire was once a beginner too."
As for what's next, her vision is refreshingly simple. She wants to keep learning, creating meaningful work, performing, teaching, and helping build a community where people from every background feel welcome to explore dance.
"If I can inspire even a handful of people to make room for creativity in their lives," she says, "I'd consider that a success."
Rituparna currently takes classes in Koramangala and Electronic City. Her classes are also available online. You can follow her work and life here.
Comments