Dr. Supritha Aithal

Bharatanatyam

Supritha is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer with a deep-rooted passion for the art form, having started her training at the tender age of five. With a PhD in Dance Movement Psychotherapy and an MFA in Bharatanatyam, her academic credentials are impressive, complemented by a wealth of teaching experience across various levels, from beginners to advanced students. She has taught Bharatanatyam at prestigious institutions, including Edge Hill University and in cultural settings both in India and the UK.

Her expertise is recognized internationally, evidenced by her membership in the International Dance Council (CID) under UNESCO and her status as an ‘A’ grade artist with Doordarshan, India’s national TV channel. Supritha has also been honored with numerous awards and scholarships from the Government of Karnataka and India, which reflect her dedication and excellence in Bharatanatyam.

In addition to her teaching and performances across the globe—including the UK, USA, UAE, Greece, and Spain—Supritha is a prolific researcher with over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and a book on creative arts therapies. Her extensive knowledge, combined with her passion for spreading the joy of Bharatanatyam, makes her an exceptional mentor for aspiring dancers.

Kousic Sen

Tabla

Tabla classes are taught by musical maestro Kousic Sen. He was born into a musical family in Calcutta, showing tremendous talent for Tabla from a very young age. Trained under his father, Late P. L. Sen, then Pt. Biswanath Bose of the Banaras Gharana, and later under Pt. Kumar Bose, Kousic is a vastly experienced tabla artist, and a master of accompanying dance, fusion and classical music. 

One of the foremost tabla players of his generations, Kousic Sen is a tabla player whose intense and energetic performances add a new dimension to the traditional concert experience. His rhythmic mastery has become known around the globe through his performances with leading musicians in many of the world’s most famous venues.

Kousic joined Milapfest as Artist in Residence in 2014. His role includes teaching at the weekly Arts School, performances in Milapfest concerts around the UK and his role as Percussion Conductor for Samyo and Tarang.

There are three Tabla sessions ranging from beginner to Grade 1. Training occurs in small groups, giving each student an opportunity to receive focused one-to-one training with Kousic Sen during each class. Both practical and theoretical aspects of Tabla are covered in this class.