About Us

Heal. Transform. Empower.

Kolkata Sanved uses Dance Movement Therapy [DMT] as an alternative approach to counselling, psychosocial rehabilitation, self expression, and empowerment.

EMPOWERING LIVES THROUGH DANCE

Kolkata Sanved is a women-led pioneer in the field of DMT for trauma healing and empowerment of marginalised populations. We use DMT as a tool for promoting holistic well-being and to enhance quality of life for survivors of sex-trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence. Kolkata Sanved works through a wide network of partners in India and South Asia.

Sampoornata [meaning: fulfilment] DMT for Change is Kolkata Sanved’s innovative and unique contribution to the field of mental health, gender equality and livelihood development.

A Brief History

1995-2003

Initial efforts of DMT-for-Change, titled ‘Rangeen Sapney’ or ‘Colourful Dreams’ piloted within a local NGO
Collaboration between our founder Sohini Chakraborty and a core group of survivors laid the foundation for Sampoornata

2004

The official launch of Kolkata Sanved

2005 - 2010

Kolkata Sanved’s reach widened through collaboration with multiple partners and stakeholders

2011 Onwards:

Fostering awareness, understanding and acceptance of DMT as a means of psychosocial recovery and reintegration, and stimulating its practice
Working towards establishing a Centre of Excellence
Building sustainability for the organisation

Sampoornata not only makes DMT more relevant to the Indian context but also makes it accessible to care institutions and marginalised communities. This model helps survivors of sexual violence and other vulnerable communities to release their trauma, and to be healed. This process eventually enables them to reach their full potential and live their lives on equal terms with society.

The Sampoornata model uses dance and movement creatively to help participants take agency over their bodies and emotions, voice their opinions, and access their rights. Our vision is to form a healthy violence-free and gender-equal creative society where individuals will be empowered in terms of their rights and self identity. Furthermore, Kolkata Sanved creates opportunities for survivors to become DMT practitioners, peer educators and young leaders, so that they are able to enjoy economic independence.

Kolkata Sanved envisions setting up a Centre of Excellence on DMT in India and other parts of South Asia by 2020.

VISION

We dream for a healthy, violence-free, gender-equal, creative society of empowered individuals.

MISSION

Our mission is to enhance gender equality and improve mental health and wellbeing of marginalized individuals and communities by building an ecosystem for Dance Movement Therapy for social development. We strive to create DMT Practitioners, leaders and change-makers in the field, especially from vulnerable communities. In an effort to achieve this, we are aiming to set up a Centre of Excellence (COE).

BOARD MEMBERS

The Kolkata Sanved Board Members.

OUR TEAM

The Kolkata Sanved Full Time Employees.

CONSULTANTS

The Kolkata Sanved Consultants.

EXPERTS & RESOURCE PERSONS

The Kolkata Sanved Experts & Resource Persons

DONORS & PARTNERS

Kolkata Sanved is essentially a collaborative organisation.

Our Donors

Azim Premji Foundation
Blossomy Project, U.S.A.
Dalyan Foundation
EMpower
Global Fund for Children
Holder Family Foundation
Human Capability Foundation
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Target Charity
Vital Voices Global Leadership
We Trust

Our Partners

A Village for Independent and Enterprising Women ( AVIEW)
Action Beyond Help and Support (ABHAS )
All Bengal Women’s Union (ABWU)
Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, Kolkata (ARDSI)
American Center – Kolkata
American Dance Therapy Association
Antaranga Society for Social and Economic Development
Anjali-
Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
Behala Keertika
Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS, Mumbai
CMTAI, Bangalore
Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal and Government of Maharashtra
Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad
Empowerment Institute, USA
German Dance Therapy Association (BTD)
Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women(GAATW)
Grameen Siksha Kendra (GSK)
Hope Foundation