Labonee Mohanta is a dynamic force in the world of classical Indian dance. A distinguished disciple of the legendary Kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das, she began her training at age 8 and has evolved into a captivating solo artist, regularly enchanting audiences across the United States, Canada, India and Europe. Celebrated for her rhythmic brilliance, her flamboyant footwork, graceful elegance, and some of the fastest pirouettes in contemporary Indian dance, Labonee brings a rare fusion of power and serenity to the stage. She is also a pioneering figure in ‘Kathak Yoga’—a technique in which she simultaneously recites and sings rhythmic cycles, executes intricate footwork, and plays the harmonium.

Labonee has performed at prestigious festivals including the Chetla Murari Sangeet Sammelan (Kolkata), the North American Bengali Conference (San Francisco and Toronto), and the New York Kathak Festival. Her cross-cultural collaborations include work with Flamenco India, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, and the French indo-fusion group Ganapati. She is a 2024-2025 recipient of the Dresher Ensemble Artist Residency Award, which enabled her to develop and create a groundbreaking and innovative production, Milana—a fusion of Kathak with Jazz, North Indian classical music, and South Indian percussion.

Her choreography and performance work has been featured in internationally acclaimed films such as Faceoff and Prayer for the Mother, and most recently in Sare Saath: A Kathak Tale of Courage. Early in her professional career, Labonee toured extensively with the Chitresh Das Dance Company, where she also served as senior teacher and centre director at her Guru’s prestigious institution. Today, as Artistic Director of the Lavanya Academy of Indian Arts in California, she leads a vibrant community of students—directing her dance company and mentoring over 70 students across three Bay Area locations.

As a second-generation Indian-American, Labonee is a cultural bridge, preserving the deeply rooted traditions of classical Indian dance while pushing its boundaries on the global stage. Through every performance and every class she teaches, she continues to honor her heritage—carrying forward a timeless legacy with vision, dedication and innovation.