About Arno
A Journey with Bharatanatyam
Arno is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher who is grateful to live and make art on the beautiful and unceded lands of Musqueam (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ), and Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) people, also known as Vancouver and Coquitlam. Deeply rooted in the classical language of Bharatanatyam and inspired by the mystic rhythms of her Bengali heritage, she sees dance as the revelation of human soul. Her performances weave poetry, music, and movement into stories that transcend cultures and time.
The Journey
Early Years
Arno began her dance journey at age six at Chhayanaut in Dhaka under the guidance of Manipuri dance exponents Sharmila Bandopadhyay and Tamanna Rahman—disciples of the legendary Guru Bipin Singh. She developed a strong foundation in Manipuri and also started learning Bharatanatyam under Belayet Hussain, finishing her certificate course in both forms. She also trained in other dance forms like Uday Shankar style, Kathakali and contemporary at Nrityanandan.
Bharatanatyam Training and Mentorship
After 12 years of dedicated study of various forms, Arno chose to pursue Bharatanatyam full-time under the mentorship of the eminent Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar. Later, she expanded her practice in Canada with Guru Jai Govinda, graduating from the Jai Govinda Dance Academy. With support from Mandala Arts and Culture, she also trained with Bragha Bessel to deepen her understanding of abhinaya (expression).
Her artistic curiosity led her to numerous workshops under master teachers, including residencies in Navarasa Sadhana with G. Venu, an internship with Nova Dance (supported by BC Arts Council), residencies with Bijayini Satpathy and a mentorship through the New Works Cohort Program.
Her rich repertoires have taken her at various festivals in USA, Germany, India and Bangladesh. In recent years she has performed for All Over The Maps by New Works, Dance Centre’s Global Connection Series, Time Will Tell Arts Society, Institute of Asian Research at UBC, Simon Fraser University, Transform : A Cabaret Festival by The Cultch, World Rhythm Festival in Seattle, Dance All Sorts by New Works, Dancer’s Transition Resource Centre, Diwali in BC and Vancouver Moving Theatre among many. Some of her recent productions are Shyama (2015-2018), Parasakti (2021) presented by Chan Centre digital series, and she was a cast member of Svaha (2023) by Nova Dance and Skydancers (2024) by Anusha Fernando. Arno is supported by BC Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.
Arno also performs regularly as a musician conducting nattuvangham with professional dancers in BC and is involved with Vancouver Tagore Society since it’s inception. Arno has served as an instructor and a solo performer at Mandala Arts (2015-2025), and at Chhayanaut (2002-2009) and currently she is a faculty at Kalavaani Institute at Vancouver.
Evolving the Form
A graduate in architecture, Arno draws upon diverse disciplines—music, theatre, mime, and design—to shape her choreographic voice. Her Bengali roots and exposure to Rabindranath Tagore’s music continue to influence her storytelling, blending spiritual, poetic, and humanistic elements into her work. Arno is always curious to find partnership with artists practicing different art form. She is a mother of a pre-schooler and a passionate dance teacher with over two decades of teaching experience. Her experience of motherhood and her dance students continue to enrich her life, and experience as a dance artist.
Gallery
Performances
Arno’s repertoire has been featured in festivals and venues across Bangladesh, India, Germany, the USA, and Canada.
Her pandemic-era digital production Parasakti (2021), created with five BC-based musicians, was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and presented by the Chan Centre DotCom Series.
Teaching & Mentorship
For over a decade, Arno has shared her passion for Bharatanatyam with students in Bangladesh and Canada. From 2002-2009 she taught at Chhayanaut, from 2015–2025, she taught at Mandala Arts and Culture, and today she is a faculty at Kalavani Institute, where she develops mentorship programs that encourage young dancers to connect with this classical form with personal stories, authenticity and innovation.
“Dance is an expression of my soul. That is what storytelling in Bharatanatyam means to me — the revelation of one’s truth.
As Tagore wrote, ‘My soul reveals in endless depth of the sky.’ That is where my journey continues.”