From Bharatanatyam to Coachella: Meghna Chakraborty on Tradition, Innovation, and Representation

For Meghna Chakraborty, dance is more than an art form—it’s the story of her life. Having started training in Bharatanatyam at the age of four, Meghna’s journey with the classical Indian dance style has been both deeply personal and profoundly transformative. “Before anything else, I was a dancer,” she says, reflecting on a lifelong relationship with the art form that has helped her navigate the complexities of growing up as a third-culture kid in California.

Over the years, Bharatanatyam has evolved from a childhood practice into a cornerstone of Meghna’s identity. “It instilled discipline, structure, and a deep connection to my heritage,” she explains. Beyond the physicality of the dance, it introduced her to the power of storytelling. From intricate mudras (hand gestures) to expressive abhinaya (facial expressions), Bharatanatyam taught Meghna to tell complex narratives without a single word. “The story lies in the spaces between the movements,” she says, emphasizing how these lessons have informed her creative work across mediums.

But Bharatanatyam has given Meghna something even greater: pride. “It’s given me such a strong, undeniable sense of pride in who I am and where I come from,” she says, noting that this pride fuels her desire to share the joy of her heritage through her art.

Fusion as a Reflection of Identity

Meghna’s work doesn’t stop at classical forms. She has made a name for herself by seamlessly blending Bharatanatyam with Western dance styles, creating a unique expression of her multicultural identity. “As a third-culture kid, I’ve always lived between worlds,” she says. “I realized it was never about choosing one over the other; it’s about honoring both and finding ways to create something entirely new and true to who I am.”

Her approach is as deliberate as it is inventive. While Bharatanatyam provides the foundation of discipline and storytelling, Western styles bring a sense of freedom and exploration. Meghna believes in honoring the roots of the traditions she draws from while choreographing in ways that reflect her personal experiences. “Because my identity is multifaceted, I want my dancing to reflect that complexity,” she says. “I resist being confined to a single style or niche.”

This resistance to limitation extends to her philosophy as an artist. Meghna doesn’t just fuse styles; she redefines them, pushing boundaries while staying grounded in the values that shaped her.

Capturing a Cultural Moment

In 2023, Meghna brought her storytelling skills to the screen as a co-director of Ascending, a documentary highlighting the rise of South Asian artists at Coachella. “Coachella 2023 marked a defining moment for South Asian artists, audiences, and the broader community,” she says. The short film, created with her collaborator Zoe Malhotra, captures the significance of seeing six diverse South Asian performers on one of the world’s biggest stages.

For Meghna, the project was both personal and symbolic. “Dance, music, and celebration are core to our cultures—they are the ways in which we connect with one another, and connect to ourselves,” she says. She hopes the film inspires the music industry to see South Asian artistry as more than a passing trend, but as a cultural force with staying power.

Reflecting on the progress made since her childhood, Meghna is optimistic about the future. “I hope Ascending sends a message to young people everywhere—that no matter where they come from, they can dream big and achieve anything.”

Expanding Horizons

While dance remains Meghna’s foundation, she has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to her career, including filmmaking and social media. Each medium, she says, allows her to explore different facets of her identity. “Dance is my outlet for personal expression, but filmmaking has opened up entirely new ways for me to communicate and bring stories to life.”

Social media, meanwhile, has offered her a platform to share her work and connect with collaborators. It’s also allowed her to break down traditional barriers of access, something she sees as a key opportunity for the next generation of creators. “The current and next generation of artists have the incredible privilege of being able to create in a time when there are so many tools that remove many of the traditional barriers of access,” she says.

Meghna sees her varied career as a strength, not a limitation. “I no longer feel the need to justify my multidisciplinary approach,” she explains. “Instead, I embrace the freedom it gives me to evolve and stay authentic to who I am.”

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A Message for the Next Generation

As someone who has navigated the intersection of tradition and innovation, Meghna is passionate about guiding the next wave of creators. Her advice? Trust your voice, stay rooted in your heritage, and don’t be afraid to experiment. “Innovation doesn’t mean discarding tradition—it means evolving with it,” she says.

She also emphasizes the importance of community and joy. “Stay bonded to your culture and your story as a guiding force. And make sure to nurture your sources of joy outside of your work. Those are the things that will keep you inspired and protect you from burnout.”

For Meghna, the path forward is clear: it’s about honoring where you come from while forging your own way. Her journey—from a young Bharatanatyam dancer to a multidisciplinary artist—is a testament to the power of blending tradition with innovation, and staying true to yourself along the way.