Sohini Ray Biography 
Dr. Sohini Ray is an acclaimed Manipuri dancer from Kolkata. She is a Choreographer and Anthropologist by profession based on California. Ray is currently presenting her multi-media production ‘Bhaktirasgi Maangal Khonjel’ in different cities across India. She has been nominated for Lestor Horton Award thrice and won it once. She founded Institute of Manipuri Dance in southern California, where she teaches students Manipuri dance form.
She was born in Kolkata in 1966 to a physicist who had great passion of music and sitar. She hailed from a family of music lovers. Her mother plays piano and many of her family members were related to any form of music. She started learning Manipuri at the age of 7 and her first guru was Guru Bipin Singh who persuaded her to continue with studies. Later she learnt under Darshana Jhaveri and Kalavati Devi. She schooled at Modern High School for girls, Kolkata and since then she regularly participated in cultural events and dance competitions. She gave her first stage performance at the age of 14. She received a National scholarship in 1982 at the age of 14 which boosted her career a lot.
Though she was interested in dance forms, she has been a brilliant student in academics as well. Her parents too wanted her to complete her studies. She completed graduation and PG in anthropology from University of Calcutta. Then she completed Ph.D. in anthropology from University California at Los Angeles. She has taught at many universities across the globe and is a former fellow at Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School. She has performed with Jhaveri Sisters at many occasions.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 21, 2014
