Shall we dance?

She's looking for a single beat where the dancers can blend and create a mesmerizing melange.

Maitreyee Pahuri will get bhangra, giddha 038; bharatnatyam on the same stage for Poompoohar

She8217;s looking for a single beat where the dancers can blend and create a mesmerizing melange. Dancer and choreographer Maitreyee Pahuri is here for Poompoohar, a cultural extravaganza of Tamil Nadu in collaboration with the Chandigarh Administration and is looking forward to presenting the diverse dances as a single piece. Essentially a kathak dancer Maitreyee8217;s well-conversant with other classical and folk forms of the country and agrees in India the role of choreographer especially for classical and folk dance forms is still vague. Maitreyee has a repertory in Delhi and has choreographed for international events like Incredible India in New York, Moscow et al, besides other important shows for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 8220;I travel across the country and abroad to do shows. This one8217;s special for I8217;ve never got bhangra, giddha, bharatnatyam and mohiniattam together,8217;8217; the dancer talks about the shows titled Kalai Kolam and Kalai Tamarai. Dance and rangoli, explains Maitreyee is the essence of Kalai Kolam and more than 200 dancers will be involved in the show, the idea being to give the artists freedom to showcase their talent, yet give the audience a unique experience of seeing divergent cultures and moves on the same stage. Language, agrees Maitreyee can be a barrier to get the point across, 8220;but we as dancers can speak with gestures, which I am really doing and also improvising on the steps, music, lights etc so that it8217;s a perfect mix, yet the dancers have an identity of their own,8217;8217; Maitreyee gets back to the stage.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More