Arthy Ahmed Creates a Safe Space for Adult Bharatanatyam Learners in Bangladesh

When Arthy Ahmed first opened her Bharatanatyam classes for adults in Dhaka, many in the classical dance community dismissed it as a hobbyist venture. Today, her once-small class has evolved into a thriving community of nearly 600 students across 13 groups, with adult learners performing internationally, on television, and at corporate events.

Ahmed, who holds a BA Honours and Master’s in Bharatanatyam from India, never intended to prove her critics wrong. Her goal was to provide a shame-free space for people—mostly women—who were denied the chance to dance during their youth.

Her inclusive teaching method—slow-paced, non-judgmental, and grounded in emotional healing—is informed by a diploma in dance psychology. Many students report recovering from depression and body image issues, finding confidence and joy through movement.

Ahmed’s 2023 production Sakhi featured nearly 90 women in a raw, unsensitised performance that broke conventional standards of perfection, prioritising honesty and connection.

Despite growing success, her work faces resistance from conservative groups that view women dancing on stage as culturally inappropriate. Additionally, many of her students struggle with physical limitations due to a lack of early physical activity.

To make Bharatanatyam more accessible in Bangladesh, Ahmed adapts performances to local cultural contexts while maintaining the purity of the classical form during training. She also emphasizes the need to build not only dancers but also audiences, calling for a culture where people attend dance performances for the art itself.

Looking ahead, she hopes to see more productions, new classrooms in other cities, and a handful of professionally trained classical dancers. “From zero, ten is everything,” she says.

Ahmed’s mission is clear: to offer not just a place to dance, but a space where people truly belong.