Art and Culture

New York teen sensation Urjani De shines at New York Puja Association's Cultural Programme 2024

by TRANS WORLD FEATURES | @twfindia 24 Oct 2024, 11:46 am

New York: Urjani De, a second-generation Indian teenager based in New York City, captivated audiences with her mesmerizing performance at the cultural programme of the New York Puja Association 2024.

Urjani presented an enchanting Bharatnatyam piece, Devi Vandana, showcasing her deep passion for classical Indian dance and her dedication to preserving her cultural heritage.

Having started her Bharatnatyam journey at the age of six, Urjani has become a prominent dancer, delivering numerous classical and semi-classical performances.

She is also an active member of the South Asian Youth Organization at her prestigious Hunter College High School, where she continues to inspire her peers through her performances.

In addition to her success in dance, Urjani is a talented fashionista.

She made headlines when she participated in a Times Square fashion show, walking the runway for renowned Indian fashion designers.

Her love for the arts extends to acting, where she has taken on roles in various school productions, including Guys and Dolls (as Nicely Nicely Johnson), Snow Angel (as Eva), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (as Charlie), and Matilda (as Matilda), under the direction of Frederick Schiretta at the American Drama Studio.

Urjani's versatility is further showcased by her achievements in the Miss India New York 2023 competition, where she competed in the teen category and earned the title of "Miss Beautiful Angel."

Her accomplishments are a testament to her dedication to both her Indian heritage and her talents in various art forms.

Beyond her expertise in Bharatnatyam, Urjani also trains in Western Ballet and contemporary dance every summer at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance.

She has performed in prestigious events like the North American Bengali Conference, including a child artist performance at Madison Square Garden in 2016 and as a dancer in the Indo-Italian Dance Drama MELANGE in 2023 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

An accomplished classical pianist, Urjani has been playing the piano since the age of four and has performed the works of renowned composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin in numerous concerts. She was also featured as a school-aged model for Scholastic Book Club in 2022.

Urjani De continues to be a beacon of talent and a source of pride for both the Indian and American communities.

With her passion for dance, acting, music, and fashion, she is truly a rising star, destined for greater accomplishments in the future.