With an unwavering dedication to Kathak, Ashimbandhu began his dance journey at a tender age. Over the course of four decades, he overcame financial struggles and limited practice time, guided by esteemed gurus in both the Jaipur and Lucknow gharana styles.

Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee, a Kathak exponent hailing from Kolkata, began his journey in the captivating art form at the tender age of six. Even after four decades, he remains a devoted student of Kathak, constantly seeking to deepen his understanding and mastery of the dance form.

Talking about his education, Ashimbandhu says that he graduated with honors in Zoology and did masters in Kathak from Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata.

Ashimbandhu initially learned the Jaipur Gharana style of Kathak from esteemed Pandit Ram Gopal Misra and Susmita Misra. Later, he transitioned to the Lucknow Gharana under the guidance of Pandit Vijay Shankar. Over the past two decades, he has also received valuable teachings and guidance from the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj. In addition to his expertise as a dancer, Ashimbandhu is also involved in choreography and runs his own dance center called Upasna Center for Dance in Kolkata.

Reflecting on his childhood, Ashimbandhu says that his fascination with dance was kindled during childhood, and when asked about his aspirations, he would express his desire to become like Uday Shankar. He also shares intriguing memories of his sister excelling in cricket while he pursued his passion for dance. His family was open-minded and accepted the idea that their daughter would play cricket while their son pursued dance. Although society initially presented challenges, he now receives acceptance and respect for his chosen path.

Talking about difficulties during his dance journey, Ashimbandhu shares that he began his learning journey when he was in school and his family’s financial situation was tough at that time. Despite this, his mother managed to arrange money for his dance lessons. He lived in a small two-room house with his parents and three siblings, leaving little time for practice as he had to focus on his studies too. Although it was a challenging time, he cherished those moments and enjoyed them a lot. He also got support from his mother who was a classical singer.

Ashimbandhu’s experiences as a dancer have been nothing short of extraordinary. His first performance, around the age of sixteen, took place in an auditorium, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. Gradually, his teacher recognized his potential and offered support, leading to a national scholarship. Immersed in rigorous training from morning till evening, he found solace in dance, momentarily forgetting the world around him. Ashimbandhu harbors no regrets and takes strength from the blessings of his gurus and his mother.

When asked about his mistakes, Ashimbandhu says that he has no regrets in life.

Ashimbandhu recounts a pivotal moment when he chose to pursue dance over a medical career, and he appreciates his mother's support in that decision.

While Ashimbandhu has received numerous scholarships and educational degrees, he believes that the blessings of his gurus are his greatest accomplishments. Additionally, performing on international stages stands out as a significant achievement in his career.

Pandit Birju Maharaj is Ashimbandhu’s role model, and in Ashimbandhu's eyes, Kathak and Birju Maharaj are synonymous, representing the epitome of the art form.

When faced with stress, Ashimbandhu turns to dance, finding solace and rejuvenation in the rhythm and movements.

Ashimbandhu’s life mantra is encapsulated in the rhythm of Kathak.