AN APPEAL TO SUPPORT MY EDUCATION
GOAL: $50,000 ($11,000 raised)
DONATION LINK

Event in LA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser-sunday-education-for-achintya-bose-tickets-950941059307?aff=oddtdtcreator

My name is Achintya. I am a student-artist pursuing Dance at the California Institute of Arts, Santa Clarita (CalArts) for one of its flagship programs - BFA in Dance at the Sharon Lund School of Dance. You may have seen me on Netflix, in one of the lead roles in the film 'YEH BALLET ’ directed by Sooni Taraporevala and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my journey of life, hope, and gratitude.

MY STORY:

I come from a lower middle-class family based out of Mumbai, India. I was brought up by my grandparents in Kolkata for the first 12 years of my life and then by my mother, Anupama, in Mumbai. For as long as I can remember, my mother did 3 jobs at a time to ensure I had the best education.

I was barely 9 yrs old – living with my grandparents in Kolkata in 2009 – when I first noticed the frenzy around Michael Jackson He had just passed away. I didn’t know who he was. Except that my Mom had left a DVD of ‘The Moonwalker’ for me during her last visit - thinking I might find it interesting since I was constantly trying out new steps to perform on my school stage. I watched him dance for the first time. While the world debated over the man, I could only gape at his effortless artistry and focus on trying to copy his moves and style. Relentless days and nights went by as I tried to get it right.

HOW DID I GET INTO DANCE:

Growing up, dancing was my sanctuary, a way to fill the absence of a traditional family structure. When I danced, I felt as if I was soaring among the clouds, free and unburdened. However, in India, dance often isn't seen as a financially stable career.

And then came Yeh Ballet, a role in this critically acclaimed Netflix film! The acclaimed writer-filmmaker Sooni Taraporevala spotted me at The Danceworx’s annual showcase. One of the leading casting directors in India and from South Asian cinema Tess Joseph auditioned me-- And I was in!

I had imagined that the accolades from my lead role (Asif) as an aspiring ballet dancer from the underbelly of Mumbai in ‘Yeh Ballet’ would bring in a certain acceptance for my choices, and my passion. But it all stayed pretty much the same. Except now, with the film, my mother had my back. I still had to earn and learn even while I was studying for my “A levels” and practicing/learning at Danceworx, Mumbai. She became the champion of my dreams.

So now I was working many small jobs at Danceworx to pay for my training, that ensured my access to dance training every day. After seeing my dedication, Ashley Lobo, our Artistic Director, told me he would like to train me personally. I hold that moment in high regard to this day.

I saw that my hard work, born from living my dream and following my passion, was bearing fruit. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of my grandparents, my mom, Ashley, and industry leaders like Siddharth Roy Kapur, Sooni Taraporevala, and Netflix's Cindy Jourdain, among many others. Their influence made all those long hours of training worthwhile. Hard work took on a new meaning. Drive became more significant. Change was exciting and morally inevitable.

JOINING CALARTS TO PURSUE EDUCATION

I am a very fortunate person. In 2023, I secured admission into one of the finest dance programs - the BFA (Dance) 4 yrs graduate program in CalArts. I was even more fortunate that I won nearly 60% scholarship. However, I still can't afford the tuition fees. Our friends, well-wishers, and my ‘Yeh Ballet’ family stepped up to bring in patrons to help bridge the gap between the money required and the scholarship amount provided for my Freshman Year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP MY EDUCATION TO CONTINUE
GOAL TO RAISE: $50,000 ($11,000 raised so far)
By AUGUST 5th, 2024

To carry on with my dance education at CalArts, CA I need to raise about $50,000 for 2^nd Year, BFA Program-Dance). To date, we have raised $11,000. I need your support - to enable me to continue my education. The total cost for the year is about $87,000 and I already have secured $47,500 through Financial Aid – Grants – Scholarships – which includes an additional scholarship of $5000 I have been awarded this year. You can glance through the details of the cost in the attachment.

By supporting my education, you are enabling me to share my art with the world.

My appeal is being supported by the Seattle-based not-for-profit organization Tasveer which enables South Asian artists. Your donation will get tax benefits as applicable under the US tax laws.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

With hope and gratitude
Achintya Bose
& Anupama Bose (mother)
1 661 5027 916 I 91 865 2033 022

Sharing HERE snapshots and a few videos from my solos, my collaborative projects, the MFA thesis productions I worked in, etc - a glimpse into all that I have been doing on campus through the year.

Become a Champion: Support Achintya Bose's Educational Journey

By Tasveer

Become a Champion: Support Achintya Bose's Educational Journey