DEVAYANI Biography

DEVAYANI
Devayani is a foremost exponent of the Classical Indian Dance
style Bharata Natyam. This celebrated French artist has
performed in all parts of India in renowned Cultural Centres &
Festivals and in the most prestigious Festivals and Concert
Halls including in UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece,
Portugal, the Scandinavian countries, Estonia, Korea, etc. Her
outstanding performances overseas have significantly
contributed to the internationalisation of Bharata Natyam in its
pristine form and glory. Devayani is an empanelled artist with
the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Govt. of India.
Devayani is a pioneer and trendsetter in many ways.
On the 60th
India’s Republic Day of January 26.2009 Devayani
was awarded by the President of India the PADMA SRI
Award which is one of the highest civilian President of India
awards given to the most distinguished persons in recognition
of their outstanding services & achievements. The Padma
Awards Presentation Ceremony was held at Rashtrapati
Bhawan, the Indian Presidential Palace on April 14.2009.
DEVAYANI is the first French Classical Dancer and Foreign
artist to have made it to this elite list in India in Bharata
Natyam. Other prestigious awards conferred on Devayani
include:
The IMM Top Cultural Ambassador Award for Excellence
2004.
The National Women Excellence Award from WIN 2008
(Women in Cultural Tradition & Art Promotion Award).
International Yog Confederation of India Award 2009 (for her
contribution in the field of Culture)
Devayani was given a full page coverage in the TIME &
NEWSWEEK magazines, issues of 29 Dec, 2008 to Jan 5,
2009 amongst 70 International magazines for the ‘Incredible
India ‘campaign of the Government of India titled ” Real
People”. She is the only Indian Dance Artist who has made it
to the top international magazines. A 20 feet hoarding with her
Bharata Natyam pose against the backdrop of Mahabalipuram
was displayed in TIMES SQUARE in 2009-2010 for the
‘Incredible India’ campaign of the Government of India.
Devayani
Born
Artist Name
Annick Chaymotty
in Paris, France
Devayani
Residence New Delhi ,India
Nationality French
Occupation Classical Indian Dancer
of Bharata Natyam &
Choreographer
Partner Late M.M. Kohli
Website:
Official website
(http://www.devayanidance.com)

* Devayani was the only Artist from India to be invited to represent Traditional Indian Dance at the
World Culture Open in Seoul, Korea.
* Devayani was given the top billing for her Bharata Natyam performances with the legendary opera
singer Luciano PAVAROTTI at the XXIV Algarve International Music Festival in Portugal.
* Devayani promoted Bharata Natyam through her dance productions & workshops at the Edinburgh
International Festival Fringe for several years.
* Devayani was selected by the Arts Council of England as the First Asian Dancer Artist – in –
Residence at Newcastle –Upon –Tyne Dance City to promote Indian Dance & Culture in UK.
* Devayani was the First French artist to be the heroine of an Indian Film “America Ammayi”
(Telugu). Till date, fans remember her acting as the heroine of the film & her dance sequences shot
in the Temple of Chidambaram.
* Devayani is an ardent protagonist of promoting Bharata Natyam in its pristine form. In her
performances it has been her endeavor to preserve and perpetuate the pristine glory, purity and
beauty of this ancient dance form. Endowed with this guiding spirit Devayani has achieved
outstanding success, acclaim and recognition at the national and international level.
Contents
• 1 Early Life
• 2 Career
• 3 In popular culture
• 4 Personal life
• 5 Awards and Honors, Special Distinctions
• 6 In the Media
• 7 Bharata Natyam
• 8.External links
• 9.References
Early Life
It was when the little French girl Annick Chaymotty was reading The Green Ballerina Shoes of the
Red and Gold collection that the reproductions of the graceful ballerinas painted by Degas scattered
around the book captured her imagination. It was like love at first sight for this Art form and for the
footlights which animated in a such a vibrant manner the faces of the dancers painted by the French
impressionist.
A few years later, she started attending classical music and dance classes in a Paris conservatory
with the money she earned from teaching English to the baker's daughter and her friend. Anne as she
preferred to be called was only 10. In her formative years she was nurtured in Classical Ballet and
later in modern contemporary dance at the “Schola Cantorum”in Paris. She was noticed by a
Flamenco dancer ,Lutys de Luz ,a soloist of the Ballet Company of the Marquis de Cuevas and
learnt from her the Spanish Classical dance at “La Salle Pleyel” .

As per the French tradition in bourgeois families, she went
through the scholar cursus with Latin as the main subject at
Lycee Rodin and even further, with Greek at Lycee Claude
Monet, a renowned college in Paris before doing her MA in
French and English Literature in the Sorbonne University
.During those years of Academic studies she was enamoured
with Art. She was inspired by the literature of different cultures
and "Ecoles" including French romanticism (Baudelaire,
Rimbaud) the poetry of Shelley, the readings of Kant and
Nietzsche and the philosophy of Plato. She often attended
theatre shows, dance recitals, music concerts and art exhibitions.
Sometimes she took her mother along with her and described to
her longing for beauty, her incessant search for Art. Came the
counter culture movement… When by chance she heard Ravi
Shankar, Indian Classical Music came as a revelation. Based on
his sitar performance with the Beatles, she requested Milena
Salvini to choreograph the Radha and Krishna's story for her
first dance drama “Le chant de la Nuit”. Milena Salvini was later to open the Mandapa, the first
centre of Indian Dance and Culture in Paris.
As she attended in the Paris Odeon Theatre, 'La Tentation de Saint Antoine' a play after the novel by
Gustave Flaubert, choreographed by Maurice Bejart she told herself she was right to believe in what
the author Antonin Artaud was naming” L' Art total.” This belief led her to create another dance
drama “Le Banc des Fievres “ which was selected by Monique Dorsel ,who had seen her first dance
drama ,for the International Festival of Drama and Poetics in Brussels and awarded the first prize in
Research Theatre. She also had her first interview on the Radio in Brussels. On her return to Paris
the captivating Bharata Natyam dance sequence in the film by Louis Malle titled “Phantom India”
inspired her to surrender herself to this ancient Temple dance. Soon after she discovered by chance
Bharata Natyam classes and so started her initial training under Amala Devi and later Malavika. On
account of her exceptional gift and flair for this dance form, Devayani was awarded the Indo-French
Cultural Exchange Programme ICCR scholarship in 1973 to learn Bharata Natyam in India. The
award of this scholarship enabled me to realize her goal of discovering and learning a composite
dance form which at the same time is: movement, rhythm, mime, sculpture, thought, expression of
love and expression of the soul.
Studies of Bharata Natyam in Chennai and Indian Movie
During this period ” the French girl” as she was referred
to was trained by the Great Masters of the Bharata
Natyam dance tradition: Kancheepuram Ellapa Mudaliar
and Kalaimamani V.S. Muthuswamy Pillai, Kumari
Sawrnamukhi in Karanas (sculptural poses carved on the
South Indian Temples), Padma Bushan Kalanidhi
Narayanan in Abhinaya and Padma Vibushan
Dr. Balamuralikrishna in vocal carnatic music. It was
when she was learning from Muthuswamy Pillai that she
became DEVAYANI. It was the name that she had heard
her first guru Kancheepuram Ellapa Mudaliar sing in a
dance composition which, after his untimely demise, was
accepted by Muthuswamy Pillai who became mainly
responsible for her training.

Devayani had her “arangetram” debut performance under the
auspices of Rasika Ranjani Sabha in Chennai before a galaxy of
eminent Indian artists and the Media. The French Girl with “a
very pretty and forceful stage personality” as quoted by a critic
from the Hindu newspaper received positive reviews from the
media. It was no coincidence that during the years spent in
Chennai Devayani was granted tutelage of the grand masters of
the Bharata Natyam tradition. While still a student of Bharata
Natyam, she won high accolade with her acting and dance
performances in the lead role of the Telugu film “America
Ammayi” directed by Singheeta Srinivasa Rao and which was
screened in India and abroad. The “hit” film propelled Devayani
overnight into a position of stardom. It was screened in the whole
of South India, in the International Film Festival in Delhi, in Africa, the US. She had the opportunity
thanks to the master who trained her for the Kuchipudi dance sequence for the movie, Vempati
Chinna Satyam, to perform in Delhi at the prestigious Kamani Auditorium and also for Doordarshan
Television. On return from Delhi Devayani received many film offers as a heroine. Ramu Kariat
offered her the title role in a Malayam film, Girish Karnad in a Kannada movie and in a Tamil film
for the title role versus the famous film star Kamal Hassan etc., which she all declined.
Career
Launching of International Career and Early work
From Chennai Devayani left for France
where she started her international dance
career. She chose Paris, her home town ,as
her base.During that period she performed
at the Mandapa which her friend Milena
Salvini had set up as a platform for Indian
Dance and Culture. She also performed at
the Pernod Club in the Champs Elysees and
later inaugurated the Air India office in
Lyon with her Bharata Natyam
performance. She represented Air India at a
Tourism and Travel Show held in a Five Star Hotel in Madrid in which her performance was highly
appreciated. She had a TV Programme for FR3, DOM TOM and her first review in a French magazine.
Devayani had her real Debut performance in Paris a la ‘Salle Bleue’of “ Le Palais de Congres “. She
also taught Bharata Natyam and Yoga to students from the Sorbonne University.

However, India continued to beckon on her. Devayani wanted to pursue her training in India and flew
back to Chennai where she received the news that her guru Muthuswamy Pillai was very ill. She then
decided to go to Delhi with her only belonging from the time of her studies in Chennai, a musical
instrument called “tempura” from Thanjhavur. She soon gathered some musicians and performed in
Delhi at Jhankar Theatre, the chamber Theatre of the prime Institution Sriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra,
whose Director Shoba Deepak Singh was her first promoter. Devayani was in search of better
accompaniment and excellence and formed her own troupe in the early 80s as a solo artist under Guru
Shri V. Sadasivam’s scintillating musical direction. There was no looking back: he was the one
nattuvanar (conductor of the orchestra of the former prima ballerina Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy) to
reckon with. Under him Devayani performed at prestigious venues in Delhi: Convention Hall, Kamani
Auditorium and in Mumbai at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the best theatre venue in
South East Asia.
The legendary actor and Bollywood film director Dev
Anand tried to contact her for his next film but
Devayani ‘s rapid strides had taken her to Bonn in
Germany for the International Dance Workshop during
which she performed and conducted her first international workshop .Devayani received rave reviews
for her performance “Wide acclamation for Devayani” in On return to Delhi her vocalist at that time,
T.G.Mahalingam, gave her the news that she was on the cover of the Indian Express Newspaper with a
dance pose from the film “America Ammayi”.
Breakthrough: in India & Overseas
It was in January 1982 that the Indian Council for Cultural
Relations officially deputed Devayani on a tour for India’s
Republic Day Celebrations in Bonn, Frankfurt, Essen,
Germany. However it was in July 1982 that Devayani
during the Festival of India Devayani had a show as an
independent artist at the Purcell Room of the South Bank
Centre in London. Devayani danced to a packed audience
and got several “encore”. Following these tours Devayani
attracted the attention of eminent art critics in India.
In the eighties, during the Gandhian Renaissance period of
the Indian Cultural Heritage, Devayani danced across the
width and breadth of the country performing Bharata
Natyam in prestigious venues of all major Indian
metropolitan cities and towns. Some of her major
performances are: Azad Bhavan, the Indian Council for
Cultural Relations Auditorium in New Delhi for the United
Nations’Day, the Tata Theatre of the N.C.P.A in Mumbai,
twice at Kamani Hall, at FICCI Auditorium on India’s
Republic Day in New Delhi, AIFACS Hall, New Delhi for
the’ Nuclear Week against Disarmament’. For this
performance she was commissioned by the “Federation of
the United Nations” .Devayani also participated in some of
the major Festivals of Music and Dance of India like the
‘Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan’, Mumbai, the ‘Divisional Utsav’, Gwalior, the ‘Multi Arts
Festival’, Bhopal, for ‘The National Theatre Festival’, at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata under the auspices of
“Devayani performs Bharata Natyam in Bonn –
First Trip Earns Wide Acclamation –“ Ramesh
Jaura Inter Nationes Feature bilateral

the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Academy of Music and Dance) of New Delhi. Devayani also performed for
the Indian TV Network, Doordarshan.
Strongly motivated by her passion to show the world the Ancient Dance form “Bharata Natyam” she
simultaneously continued to tour overseas .In 1983 she won a Special Award for her choreography of
Indian Dance at the International Choreography contest in Nyon, Switzerland and was on the cover of
“Ballett News”. In 1984 Devayani toured the U.K. She performed in London at Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, The October Gallery and was invited by the India High Commission to give a series of shows
in Liverpool at the ’International Gardens Festival ‘which gave her the opportunity to have several
performances in a day for different kinds of audiences including for the ‘Grand public’ whom she loved.
The Television filmed some of her shows and consecutively she
had her debut on BBC in London. The Year 1986 was an
important year for Devayani. Following a write-up in the Indian
Newspaper Hindustan Times of Feb.6.1985 and in the Magazine
Eve’s Weekly of August 1985 she was invited on a tour to
Norway in Oslo and in Stavanger at The American School
Theater’. It was her performance of 1986 at the Queen Elisabeth
Hall in London which left in her mind the mark of what she
really wanted: perform in World Concert Halls and place
Bharata Natyam next to the best of Art, Theatre, Classical Music
& Dance. Consecutively, the French Artist obliged AIR
FRANCE, her sponsor Carrier with other shows in London.
”Devayani delights London audiences” wrote the London based
Indian critic Jagdish Bazaz.
Global International Success
The Year 1987 was a turning point for Devayani. She did continue to perform in renowned venues of
New Delhi: Triveni Kala Sangam, Sapru house and toured India at the invitation of the South Central
Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur and performed in Hyderabad as State Guest of Andhra Pradesh. In July
1987 after she danced for Doordarshan, the Indian TV. Network, Devayani prepared herself for what
was going to become her favorite boards: The International Edinburgh Festival. Devayani was invited
for a series of 10 shows by the Fringe Festival Society and Christopher Richardson, the artistic Director
of the popular Pleasance Theatre became her first promoter. After Edinburgh where , in spite of the strict
competition, she left an impact with the Media Reviews of August 1987 in FESTIVAL Times

and by Howard Purdie in the Scotsman she went on to the International Fringe Festival in Swansea in
the Wales to give a series of 5 shows, including for Marks & Spencers.
This trend continued in 1988: Performances in Delhi, also in Chandigarh for Indian Tourism. Invited by
the French Embassy she gave for the first time a series of shows in Dacca, Bangladesh, where she got a
rave review in the New Nation Magazine “Mesmeric Bharata Natyam” from a French Dancer’. She gave
15 shows, was described by the Media as a “tantalizing mix of cultures” at the International Edinburgh
Festival for the Fringe Society, for AIR FRANCE in Glasgow, London. At the invitation of the NCZCC
she danced in Allahabad and with tireless élan performed across the whole of Madhya Pradesh
‘Narmada ke Kinare’ in December 1988 on a 3 weeks ‘tour during which the organisers asked her to do
repeat performances .In 1989 Devayani,” hailed as one of the best cultural ambassadors of India” by The
Hindustan Times was promoted by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource &
Development, New Delhi to go on tour to Helsinki, Finland: Copenhagen, Denmark; Frankfurt,
Germany to dance on the occasion of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Celebrations , Later she
danced for the ‘Year of France in India ‘ on a tour to Bangalore, Goa, Mumbai, Kolkata; in Dehradun
for a Summer Festival organised by NCZCC and
in Lucknow for the Sangeet Natak Akademi. She
was back to the International Edinburgh Festival
where she premiered her show “Temple” at ‘Tic
Toc at Marco’s’ , a trendy Fringe venue, and
received critical acclaim in The Scotsman, The List and the Festival Times.
In early 1990 Devayani danced again in Kolkata, Delhi for the Trade Fair Authority of India, for
Doordarshan at the majestic Rock Gardens in Chandigarh and at the Residence of the Danish
Ambassador on the occasion of the Queen of Denmark’s Birthday .After the demise of her nattuvanar in
Delhi in 1991, Guru V. Sadasivam, Devayani closely associated herself with some of the Delhi based
South Indian musicians. She performed for the ITC (Indian Tobacco Company) ‘Golden Greats Festival’
in Jodhpur in 1991 and had the privilege of sharing the evening concert with the eminent musician, Pt.
Shiv Kumar Sharma, in Delhi for the Cosmetic Icon Shahnaz Hussain in 1992, Parliamentarians from
Denmark in 1993, at Rabindra Bharati Cultural Festivals in Hyderabad in 1995.She did a recording for a
National Programme of Doordarshan , Indian TV Network in 1997 and 1998.She also presented her
show ‘Like a Goddess’ at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi in 1998 and danced at Neemrana Fort
Palace in Rajasthan in 1999 where she tried her new team of top ranking musicians: Lalgudi
R.Sriganesh (conductor), O.S.Sridhar (vocalist), K.Sivakumar (percussion) and K.L.N. Sastri (violin)
before performing with them at the prestigious Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi.
However the assignment which enabled her to establish her
strong impact on the International cultural scene was when she
was selected by the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1990 for a 6
months residence in Newcastle-upon Tyne as the first Asian
Dancer ‘Artist-in-Residence’ to promote Indian Dance and
Culture in the U.K through her performances both on Stage and
on Television especially for British Television, ITV and BBC.
‘Devayani has a powerful command of the music ... a
sensuous and captivating stage presence. Devayani's Temple
is an enthralling if complex production by an accomplished
artist’. Hazel Wright, The Scotsman September 1.1989,
Edinburgh International Festival.

Her performance and lecture – demonstration at the Commonwealth Institute in London gathered over
1000 people. Following this experience and exposure Devayani spent considerable time in the West
promoting Indian Dance and Culture including in Paris, her original home town between 1991 and
1996.In 1991 she performed for the Royal Commonwealth Festival in Bristol and for the’ Festival of
India through French Eyes” in London which also had an exhibition of Cartier Bresson .She went on a
tour of “Kerala Kala Samiti’ to Koln in Germany and further she performed at the prestigious Villa
Louvini in Luxembourg in concert with the renowned vocalist Laxmi Shankar. In 1992 she diversified
her horizons and danced for the multibillion dollar French Company DSB in Kishtwar, Kashmir and for
a ‘Bajaj Meet ‘of Indian industrialists in Kathmandu, Nepal. She
returned to the Edinburgh International Festival and further danced for
an Indian Festival organised by the Indian Embassy in Stockholm a tour
which gathered her 21 shows. It was however in 1993 that Devayani was
on the cover of the Scotsman and of its Arts Supplement for her
performances at ’Adam House Theatre’ and at the ‘Festival Theatre’ of
the International Edinburgh Fringe. In 1994 and 1995 Devayani spent
considerable time in London working on her Devadasi dance creation
project with the composer John Marc Gowans. She also danced at the
School of Arts in Wimbledon. In 1996 Devayani, introducing her Indo
Jazz dance creation “Devadasi”, made a highly professional presentation
of performances, workshops, posters, photos exhibition , slide show
,gave TV interviews for UK, Europe and the US during the ‘Dance World 96’ Event sponsored by
‘Shell’ at the Wembley Stadium in London . Devayani celebrated independently the 50th
Anniversary of
India’s Independence with her production ‘Like a Goddess’ at ‘Graffiti’ a Church venue of the
International Edinburgh Festival Fringe 1997 .Amongst more than 500 dance companies ‘Like a
Goddess’ was noticed by the Media but Claire Smith wrote in the Scotsman that ‘Devayani is a
consummate artist and a joy to watch’ but regretted she was ‘working to a backing tape’. This comment
made Devayani decide not to go back to the Fringe Festival which she thought surely offers wonderful
platforms to be launched, but it was time for her to move on.
Following this decision Devayani received commercial contracts to perform at the Eesti Concert Hall,
Opera House of Tallinn for ‘Orient 98’ in Estonia where she presented her show “Like a Goddess” and
for ‘India Vision 98’ in Athens, the Embassy of India in Athens ‘Event sponsored by the Onassis
Foundation. She danced on NET, a Greek Television Channel. She also remained cultural and in 1999
premiered the ‘Cosmic Dance of Shiva’ at the Indian Cultural centre Berlin where she conducted a five
days long workshop.
Year of Consecration: 2000 and continuous success up to 2007

During those years Devayani became selective about her choices .The Artist Devayani took her art to
further heights when she merged the classicism and rigor of Bharata Natyam with a contemporary
presentation which, she still believes, is meant to reveal the intrinsic beauty of the art form and its
universal appeal. Devayani also gave utmost importance to the high level of excellence of the members
of her orchestra. She brought out the best of each musician in order to endow her performance with a
powerful and lyrical musical texture, and achieved successful musical arrangements.
The consecration of her art came in May 2000 at the XXIV
Algarve International Music Festival in Portugal, where she was
given top billings along with the great opera singer Luciano
Pavarotti and the star of the Kirov Opera, Olga Borodina. She
went on tour to Italy for 'Indian Landscapes 2000', in Rome. In
2001 she showcased her Art at the ‘Hellas International Dance
Festival’ in Athens, at The Tagore Centre in Berlin and at the
Nehru Centre in London. In 2002 she got a contract to give
performances and workshops at the ‘American College of
Greece’ and the ‘Pierce Theater’ in Athens. In September 2004
Devayani was selected to represent India officially and perform
traditional Indian Dance at the 'World Culture Open 2004' in
Seoul, Korea. She was the only artist from India. Devayani was
selected by the International dance Council (National
Commission for Unesco, Paris) to perform in 2006 in Athens,
Greece, at The Peace & Friendship Stadium for the 20th World
Congress on Dance Research and in 2007 at the Dora Sratou
Amphitheatre for the 21st World Congress on Dance, next to the
Acropolis. During those years Devayani, with her systematic and
strategic approach of the international performs, truly placed Bharata Natyam on the map of the world,
bestowing it with her unique enthusiasm and great passion.
She continued to tour and perform with her accompanying
artists all over India in renowned cultural centres, theatres
and festivals; The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
in 2000 in New Delhi, the Lal Bahadur Sastri National
Academy of Administration in Mussoorie ,the Cultural
Festival in Bikaner, Rajasthan in 2001. The years 2003 &
2004 marked the beginning of higher recognitions from
various sectors: The Media Government Departments of
Culture & Tourism, Industries in the corporate sector, NGOs
It was in 2004 that she was conferred the IMM Top Cultural
Ambassador Award for Excellence. She performed at the
India Habitat Centre in New Delhi sponsored by BSNL, ‘Haridas Mahotsav’ in Aligarh, Mardol temple
Festival in Goa in 2004,Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur and for Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi in
Jodhpur. In 2005 she went on to dance for Pracheen Kala Kendra in Chandigarh,

was sponsored by the No1.Government Industry ONGC for a show at the Alliance Francaise of New
Delhi, and performed for Uttaranchal Formation Day in Dehradun. In 2006 she was invited by Tamil
Nadu Tourism for Mahabalipuram Dance Festival, the ‘Taj Mahotsav’ in Agra, Kalidas Festival in
Nagpur for Maharashtra Tourism, Taramati Music & Dance Festival in Hyderabad for Andhra Pradesh
Tourism. Festival’. In 2007 she was invited by the Department of Culture of Madhya Pradesh
Government for ‘Anushrruti Classical Dance & Music Festival ‘and by Maharashtra Tourism for the
world famous’ Ellora Ajanta Festival’ where she danced before an audience of 8000 people and shared
the evening concert with the sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and for the New Year Festival organised by
Chandigarh Tourism.
Highest recognition in India: 2008 to present
The Year 2008 was marked for Devayani by invitations in
major Cultural Hubs and from business tycoons: a
performance for the prestigious HCL series performance at the
India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and for the Nehru Centre
Dance Festival in Mumbai. Later the government industrial
agency ONGC invited her for India’s Independence Day
Celebrations at its headquarters in Dehradun. By now
Devayani's impact on the world of Indian Classical Dance had
crossed the borders far and wide, bringing many admirers to
her art. On account of her charismatic personality and
outstanding achievements Devayani was selected by the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for its
International Advertising Incredible India Campaign titled:
‘Real People’. It was in November 2008 that Devayani was
conferred at the India International Centre in New Delhi the
‘National Women Excellence Award’ for her contribution in
Culture, Tradition and Art Promotion by the Women
International Network. On April 14th 2009, Devayani was conferred the 'Padma Shri' Award by the
President of India for her distinguished services and outstanding achievements. Devayani is the first
French Artist to have received this honour from the Government of
India. Devayani was also conferred the ‘International Yog
Confederation of India Award 2009, for her contribution in the
field of Culture.
Consecutively the highlights of her shows include: in 2009
performances at M.L. Bhartia Auditorium, New Delhi, sponsored by
ONGC to mark the conferment of this National Award with
H.E.Jerome Bonnafont as Guest of Honor, for the First National
Crafts Festival, Chandigarh, at Lucknow Mahotsav where she was
invited to perform her solo dance for the Finale before an audience
of 30 000 people. In 2010 her shows are featured at Buddha
Mahotsav; at “Vishesh Shani Bahar” Festival in Patna ; at Lotus
Bahai Temple for the Indian Cancer Society in New Delhi; Taj
Mahotsav, Agra in 2011; at Kalidas Festival; Sanskriti Utsav in
Lucknow; Sri Sankat Mocham Samaroh and the Horizon Series in

Varanasi; The Gaiety Theatre in Shimla; Mysore Palace Dussehra Cultural Festival; Chakradhar
Samaroh in 2011 & 2012; in 2012 at Modhera Sun Temple Dance Festival, in Gujarat; Mahakaleshwar
Music and Dance Festival, Ujjain; Jhansi Mahotsav; Uday Shankar Dance Festival, Kolkata; Bharatiya
Vidya Bhawan Dance Festival, Chennai; in 2013 at Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya & Sangeet Sammelan,
Chandigarh. In 2014 Devayani performed at Deo Surya Mahotsav in Aurangabad, Udai Shankar Ballet
and Dance Festival in Jaipur and was selected to dance her classic Act of Bharata Natyam for the Grand
Finale of Taj Mahotsav in Agra. The government of Rajasthan gave her the top billings with the eminent
Indian musicians Shubha Mudgal and Hari Prasad Chaurasia for her Bharata Natyam performance at
“Rajasthan Diwas” on the occasion of Rajasthan Day Celebrations. Devayani performed for the Spic
Macay ‘Virasat Series’, again at Lucknow Mahotsav and was given top billings at Rajgir Mahotsav. In
subsequent years Devayani was invited to perform at Maharana Kumbha Sangeet Samaroh, Antarangini
Fest IIT Kanpur,by CSOI in New Delhi,at The Khajuraho Dance Festival , Vaishali Mahotsav, Eternal
Varanasi Event at IHC, New Delhi ,Hampi Utsav, Handya Mati Mahotsav, Chandigarh,49th
World
Congress of Dance Research in Mumbai 2016.Up to date Devayani is regularly invited by the Tourism
and Culture Departments of the various States of India. In all these major Indian Festivals of Music &
Dance Devayani is widely covered by the Media. All These Festivals she has been invited to gave her
the opportunity to share these evening concerts and the top billings with the legendary stars of Indian
Music & Dance and of Bollywood.
In popular culture
Devayani has participated in number of seminars and conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations
which all demonstrate her deep understanding of the Bharata Natyam art dance and her spiritual values.
By conducting master classes, lecture demonstrations, workshops and participating in seminars
Devayani has developed internationally an understanding, an awareness of Bharata Natyam as a
powerful expression of Temple Art.
• The forums she has been associated with include:
• The International Dance Workshop, Bonn, Germany 1981
• The East West Dance Encounter, Mumbai, India 1984
• Workshop with Ballet Rambert, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northern Arts, a UK National Dance Agency
1990
• The Commonwealth Institute, London, U.K.1990
• The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece 2002
• Dhiskha Children's Summer Festival, The Akshara Theatre, New Delhi, India 2005
• British School, British High Commission , New Delhi 2009
• SPIC MACAY Programs 2011 -2013
• Devayani is Master of Arts, French Honours, PHD level Sorbonne University, Paris. She was
commissioned by the ICCR to translate (from English into French) "Letters from a father to his
daughter" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Author of several articles: 'Prayer for Peace', My dance my
life', etc. (Link)
Devayani’s motto is: “Art is the color of passion, free flowing, ‘sans’ frontiers”.
Personal life
Devayani’s long time partner was Mr. M.M. Kohli, former I.A.S. Secretary of the Government of
India. He died in March 2015.

Awards and honours
Year Award
Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme Scholarship, Madras
Awarded the I.C.C.R. Scholarship, New Delhi.
Awarded a special grant from the French Embassy, New Delhi.
1983 Award at International Choreography Contest, Nyon, Switzerland.
1987
“Award for exemplary contribution to the Art and Tradition of Bharata Natyam”,
South Central Zonal Cultural Centre (S.C.Z.C.C.), India.
1988
“Award for Exemplary contribution to the Art and Tradition of Bharata Natyam”,
North Central Zonal Cultural Centre (N.C.Z.C.C.), India.
1991
Assisted by the Deptt. of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource and Development,
New Delhi for the production 'Devadasi'.
1998
“Award for Achievement of Excellence” conferred on Devayani by the Andhra
Cultural & Welfare Society, New Delhi.
2001
Classified as Eminent Artist, by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New
Delhi.
2004
The “Top Cultural Ambassador Award for Excellence” was awarded to Devayani by
the Institute of Marketing & Management in New Delhi. This honour was conferred
on her in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the internationalisation of
Bharata Natyam.
2008
The “National Women Excellence Award” for her outstanding contribution to Culture,
Tradition & Art Promotion.
2008
Selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, to be Brand Ambassador for the
"Incredible India" advertising campaign titled ”REAL PEOPLE”.
2009
Conferred a Certificate of Appreciation by the Yog Confederation of India for her
contribution in the field of Culture and the promotion & propagation of Traditional
Systems during the International Conference on Gandhi, Yog and Global Peace
2009
Conferred one of the highest civilian awards, the "PADMA SHRI" by the President of
India on January 26 (India Republic Day)
2013
Nominated for the” Bharat Jyoti Award” by the India International Friendship
Society, New Delhi
Special Distinctions
Selected by The Arts Council of England as The First Asian Dancer Artist in Residence to promote
Indian Dance and Culture in U.K., 1990. Artist in residence at Dance City, Newcastle upon Tyne
National Dance Agency. Conducted a workshop for the famed Ballet Rambert dance company. T.V. and
stage shows during the residency.

Devayani had the distinction to perform at a function held to celebrate the Birthday of the Queen of
Denmark in New Delhi. Devayani performed for the United Nations' Day in New Delhi in 1981,
India's Republic Day Celebrations in Germany in 1981, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Birth
Centenary in France, Denmark, Germany in 1989, the 50th Anniversary of India's Independence in
Greece in 1998.
Devayani was an active member of The International Dance Council, CID, UNESCO from 2003 to
2007.
Endowed with an aristocratic and a charismatic personality, combined with her command of the dance,
Devayani brings something unique to Bharata Natyam and to the World of Art. Devayani believes in the
power of Art to spread Peace and Harmony in the world.
In the media
Since her beginning days in Chennai as a student of Bharata Natyam Devayani has attracted media
attention and recognition . Even before
giving her first official public performance
known as “arangetram”, a dance critic who
had seen her perform at a private function,
recommended her name for the film which
propelled her into fame “America Ammayi”.
Throughout her career and till date Devayani
has raised great interest in the Media. Her
outstanding performances, magnetic
personality and her ideology have been
written about and praised. Photographs of her
dance poses and of her beautiful expressive
face have scattered time and time again the
newspapers, magazines and also reached the
prime position to be on their cover in India and overseas. Devayani does not have a publicist but does
organize Press Conferences before important shows
Devayani was given a full page coverage in the TIME & NEWSWEEK magazines in addition to 70
other international magazines for the 'Real People' campaign of the Ministry of Tourism, Government
of India. She is the only French Artist and performer of Classical Indian Dance who has made it to the
top international magazines. A 20 feet hoarding with her Bharata Natyam pose against the backdrop of
Mahabalipuram was displayed in TIMES SQUARE, New York in 2009-2010 for the ‘Incredible India’
campaign of the Government of India.
In her commitment to project Indian Dance and Culture internationally, Devayani has given numerous
interviews to the Indian and International media. Films of Devayani’s performances by BBC, Tyne Tees
Television, ITV (U.K.), Zee T.V., Asianet T.V. (U.K., Europe, U.S.), FR3 (France), Net (Greece),
Indian T.V. Network are periodically telecast to a large audience of viewers.
Bharata Natyam

Bharata-Natyam is essentially a solo dedicatory dance. A dance dedicated to the gods. Bharata-Natyam
was originally performed in South Indian Temples by those who served the gods, the Devadasis.
Historically it has been the most common and classical dance Art of India, the principles and technique
of which were systematised and codified about 2000 years ago in Bharata’s ‘Natya Sastra’ – treatise of
dance.
With regard to the technique and to-day’s contemporary form of presentation, the most applicable
comparison to Bharata-Natyam is Classical Ballet although the spectrum of movements and the
narrative contents of the dance are fundamentally different. The actual repertoire of Bharata-Natyam
was conceived by four famous music composers from Tanjore, the ‘Tanjore Quartet’ in South India. It
comprises abstract and narrative dance compositions which follow a particular sequence. Nrtta, which
is the abstract or pure aspect of the dance, consists of axial geometric movements illustrating the beauty
of either tala (measure of time, i.e. rhythm) or both tala and raga (melodic mode). Each pure dance
sequence is entirely planned according to the tala system of South Indian Carnatic music.
The narrative aspect of the dance is called nrtya and its medium of expression abhinaya. It consists of
facial expressions, body positions and hastas – hand gestures or mudras - used to describe the poetical
and lyrical content of the musical composition with symbolic movements and expressiveness. It enables
the dancer to portray the emotions expressed in the song, thus giving the rasika (audience) privileged
moments of aesthetical bliss during which its members can identify themselves with the lyrics of the
songs mostly based on love themes.
Those songs have their origins in hindu mythology, literature and philosophy. They symbolise the
yearning of the human soul for union with the absolute. Bharata-Natyam is a composite art. It is at
the same time the art of the stage, drama, music, poetry, color and rhythm. Its keynote is the
dance which includes all the arts but the message of which is not merely given to the senses and
through them to a purely external form of enjoyment, but to the soul of the dancer and of the
perceiver.
The beauty of this dance form achieves its fullest expression only when there is an effervescence of
Bhava (emotion) and when Abhinaya (mimetic facial expression) projects fittingly the sentiments
expressed in the songs and through the medium of music.
I regard Bharata-Natyam as the Art of tuning oneself to the innermost beat of the world.
DEVAYANI
External links
Personal website of Devayani
http://www.devayani.com
www.facebook.com/people/Kumari-Devayani
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t0_UzDwuFA

References
1. Sri Atluri. “Stars Interviews: Chit Chat
Padmashri Devayani”. 2010/05/17.
22. Neha Sahai. “The French Connection”. The Asian
Age. 2000/09/15.
23. Michael Darwell “Classical Indian Dance” What’s On
2001 /07/04-11
24. Suman Mishra. “Dancing to a Global Tune”. The
Sunday Express. 2002/12/01.
25. “The Right Moves” Hindustan Times, HT Sunday
Magazine. 2003/02/09.
26. Amardeep Banerjee. “Artistic point of view”. The
Asian Age. 2004/02/15.
6. The National Women Excellence Award
from WIN
27. “Diva of Classical Dance”. Sahara Time. 2004/03/21.
7. TIME & NEWSWEEK magazines, issues of 29
Dec, 2008 to Jan 5, 2009
28. Anjana Rajan “A French-born Ambassador for Indian
Classical Dance. That is Devayani”. The Hindu.
2004/11/22.
8. Lekha J. Shankar. “Bharata Natyam in French”.
The Sunday Statesman. 1987/07/26.
29. “Portraits d’Artistes Devayani Ambassadrice
Francaise de la Danse Indienne”. Nouvelles de
L’inde Magazine of the Embassy of India in Paris. No.
355. 2004/11-12.
9. Anonymous. “Dancing Devayani”. Festival
Times. 1987/08/19-25.
30. Cover. Nouvelles De L'Inde Magazine of the Embassy
of India in Paris. No. 355. 2004/11-12
10. Hazel Wright. “Temple Devayani Tic Toc at
Marco’s”. The Scotsman. 1989/09/01.
31. Nonika Singh. “A blender’s pride”. Hindustan Times.
2005/05/12.
11. Jaywalker. “Devayani’s French Connection”. The
Hindustan Times Evening News. 1989/01/06.
32. S.D. Sharma. “Stunning performance by French
danseuse”. The Tribune. 2005/05/12.
12. Tanya Webster. “Temple”. The List. 1989/09/1-
14.
33. Vandana Shukla. “From Ballet to Bharata Natyam”.
The Times of India. 2005/05/12.
13. Celine Baer “Devayani danseuse de Bharata
Natyam”. Aujourd’hui. 1992/04/29.
34. Our Correspondent / Hyderabad. “Divine feminine
energy inspires her dance”. Deccan Chronicle.
2006/12/10.
35. Reetu Joshi. “I’m blessed to find my roots in India”.
Hyderabad Times, The Times of India. 2006/12/.
36. Amatul M. Siddiqui. “Stunning performers,
Enchanted audience”. Lokmat Times. 2007/11/25.
16. Cover of Arts Supplement Edinburgh Festival.
The Scotsman. 1993/08/31.
37. S.D. Sharma. “French Bharata Natyam exponent
charms audience”. The Tribune. 2007/12/28.
17. “Devayani’s Indo Jazz”. Dance Express.
1996/08/.
38. Nonika Singh. “Bharata Natyam Danseuse
Devayani… is taking the devotional dance form to
classical heights in City…” Hindustan Times. HT
City Weekend. 2007/12/28.
18. Claire Smith. “Like a Goddess”. The Scotsman
Fringe reviews. 1997/08/27.
39. L’artiste Anne Chaymotty ou “Devayani”. Nouvelles
de L’Inde. Ambassade de L’Inde – Numero 392.
2008/09/, 2008/12/.
19. Aime Hansen. “Orient 98”. Nada1.18-24
1998/05/.
40. Piyush Mathur. “Devayani Honoured with
Padmashri”. Eurasia Times Monthly. 2009/02/.
20. Vasantha Iyer. “Devyani danced like a Goddess”.
National Herald. 1998/09/08.
21. Angela Santos. “Purpura e ouro num espectaculo
divino”. Mare Alta No. 49. 2000/06/.

53. Reena Sopam. “Paris-born Bharata Natyam
exponent’s date with city today”. Hindustan Times.
44. Tarun Khanna. “Devayani Born for Bharata
Natyam”. City Plus. 2009/03/06.
54. Geeta Nandakumar. “To the manner born”. The
Hindu Friday Review. 2010/12/10.
45. S.D. Sharma “It was the mood, mudras and
melody of Bharata Natyam which helped French-
born Annuchay Motty transform into Padmashri
Devayani”. 2009/10/26.
55. Ananya Roy. “Devayani, Upendra Bhat Captivate II
audience”. City Pulse Lokmat Times. 2010/03/05.
46. HT City Correspondent. “Indian Odyssey”.
Hindustan Times HT City page 2. 2009/10/26.
56. Staff reporter. “A classy blend of rhythm and
melody”. The Hitavada City Line.
47. Usmeet Kaur. “Merging with Art”. The Times of
India. 2009/10/26.
57. Poster for Chakradhar Samaroh 2011. Artists: Pt.
Birju Maharaj, Jagjit Singh, Hema Malini, Devayani.
2011/09/01-10.
48. S.D. Sharma. “The French Connection”. The
Tribune Life Style. 2009/10/26.
58. Times News Network. “An Indian dancer from
France”. The Times of India. 2012/12/15.
49. Vrinda Sharma. “Romancing purity”. The Hindu
Friday Review.
59. S.D. Sharma. “Pracheen Kala Kendra dance music
gala enthralls audience”. Hindustan Times.
2013/03/23.
50. Shailvee Sharda. “French connection with
Bharata Natyam dance”. Sunday Times of India.
2009/12/06.
60. Manya Malhotra. “Creative Connect”. Tribune
Lifestyle Chandigarh. 2013/03/23.
51. Faisal Fareed. "French enchantress”. Grand finale
of Mahotsav. Sunday Pioneer Lucknow.
2009/12/06.
61. Rajesh Kumar Jha. “I owe everything to India –
name, fame and recognition”. Uday India.
2013/05/25.
52. Qazi Faraz Ahmad. “French delight”. Hindustan
Times HT City Lucknow. 2009/12/26.
62. Poster “Luciano Pavarotti” Juhno 21. Devayani Maio
17/18 for the XXIV Algarve International Music
Festival Portugal. 2000/05/17-18.

Awards & Distinctions
• 2013 :Nominated for the” Bharat Jyoti Award” with Certificate of Excellence by the
India International Friendship Society, New Delhi
• 2009: Conferred one of the highest civilian awards, the "PADMA SHRI" by the President of
India on January 26 (India Republic Day)
• 2009: Conferred a Certificate of Appreciation by the Yog Confederation of India for her
contribution in the field of Culture and the promotion & propagation of Traditional Systems
during the International Conference on Gandhi, Yog and Global Peace
• 2008: Selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, to be Brand Ambassador for the
"Incredible India" advertising campaign titled ”REAL PEOPLE”.
• 2008: The “National Women Excellence Award” for her outstanding contribution to Culture,
Tradition & Art Promotion.
• 2004: The “Top Cultural Ambassador Award for Excellence” was awarded to Devayani by
the Institute of Marketing & Management in New Delhi. This honour was conferred on her in
recognition of her outstanding contribution to the internationalisation of Bharata Natyam.
• 2001: Classified as Eminent Artist, by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New
Delhi.
• 1998:“Award for Achievement of Excellence” conferred on Devayani by the Andhra
Cultural & Welfare Society, New Delhi.
• 1991: Assisted by the Deptt. of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource and Development,
New Delhi for the production 'Devadasi'.
• 1988:“Award for Exemplary contribution to the Art and Tradition of Bharata Natyam”,
North Central Zonal Cultural Centre (N.C.Z.C.C.), India.
• 1987:“Award for exemplary contribution to the Art and Tradition of Bharata Natyam”, South
Central Zonal Cultural Centre (S.C.Z.C.C.), India.
• 1983: Award at International Choreography Contest, Nyon, Switzerland.

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