1. Deepa Chakravarthy
Dance is a calling!
Transcending past a
self,
Drowned in music,
Movements sculpt
spaces,
Finding the non-
existence of form…
Is the discovery of
true self!
2. Deepa's training in classical dance began in
Bharatanatyam. However, growing up watching other
dance forms, she was drawn very passionately to
Mohiniyattam. Mohiniyattam highlights lasya, the
epitome of grace which brings out the intrinsic
expressions of sensuality and femininity. Deepa
established an identity for herself as a "dancer to watch”
under Gopika Varma. To establish herself as a complete
artist, she pursued her advanced training under Dr.
Neena Prasad, moving closer to the roots of where the
dance originates. Dr. Neena Prasad, an exponent of this
dance form with brilliant academic credentials, engages
in mentoring only the aspiring professionals. With a
holistic grasp of the nuances in the dance form, and with
the understanding of history and lifestyle of Kerala,
Deepa is blossoming as a performing artist and a
choreographer .
3. The Hindu – Feb 2010
The Hindu – Sept 2015
Triumph of superb
training by Rupa
Srikanth
“Deepa Chakravarthy
showcased every aspect
in right measure…
There was another
memorable instance in
the jatiswaram where
the torso sways to the
right and the left in a
continuous flow, creating
semi-circles in space
until one felt giddy
watching it.”
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-
review/dance/deepa-chakravarthy-showcased-the-nuances-of-
mohiniyattom-with-grace-anc-confidence/article7685244.ece
4. The Hindu – Feb 2010
With eyes as windows by Rupa Srikanth
“Deepa Chakravarthy, a disciple of dancer
Gopika Varma, is an earnest and confident
Mohiniyattom dancer. She excelled in the
performance of the non-aggressive, non-
linear dance style with her soft, graceful
movements and her light-footed but well-
timed steps. Her eyes are remarkably
participative: they highlight the swaying torso
and at the same time act as windows for
expressions to flow through.”
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-
review/dance/with-eyes-as-
windows/article101188.ece
5. The Hindu 2011: Dancer to Watch by Leela
Venkatraman; Photo: Avinash Pasricha
The nritta rendition in the cholkettu in Kanada, and
the finale with a Swati Tirunal tillana in Dhanashri
showed neat technique, the sensual, feminine
grace of Mohiniattam very prominent in the
dancer's movements. But what stood out was the
ability for complete involvement in the abhinaya,
both the ashtapadi “Lalita Lavangalata” highlighting
the exuberance of Krishna and the gopis sporting
amidst Nature in Spring, and the contrary tone of
loneliness in love's separation in the padam
“Panimadi mukhi Bale” in Ahiri…
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-
features/tp-fridayreview/article1488062.ece
6. “Deepa, a student of Gopika Varma from Chennai, managed to pull
off an excellent performance... Flawless abhinayam marked her
dance at every step. Her wide smile, her eyes overflowing with
expression suited the brilliant music that played on. Though Gopika
Varma herself was an average dancer, her training and grooming
showed in her student... The third item she performed was a
Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi ‘Lalita lavanga lata’ set to Ragam Hindolam.
With soulful singing by Sudev Warrier and the graceful dance by
Deepa, this piece was a delight to watch. Most Mohiniattam dancers
often over-do their eye expressions and horizontal body movements
and make them tediously repetitive and boring. But watching Deepa
was an absolute delight. Faultless in rhythm and subtle in her
abhinayam, she stood true to her name and outshone others that
evening.”
http://www.narthaki.c
om/info/rev11/rev108
4.html
Reflections from
Ananya
by Veejai Sai
7. Indradhanush Dilli 2012 by Probal Gupta
“However, the best performance of the evening
was the Mohiniattam recital by Deepa
Chakravarthy, disciple of Gopika Varma...
Restrained circular movements coming with
intense practise of the chuzipoos to demonstrate
the creepers, love of two cuckoos as a metaphor of
the love of Radha and Krishna with the advent of
spring were executed impressively... Neat, graceful
and languorous circular and semicircular
movements derived from the chuzipoos, neat
kalasams and meivazhakam accentuated her
performance. ”
http://www.narthaki.com/info/rev12/rev1177.html
8. Achievements:
Krishna Gana Sabha Endowment
Award 2011
Awarded Junior Fellowship by
Ministry of Culture for 2012-13
And others…
Contact Details:
Phone: +91 44 45543564
Email:
chakravarthy.deepa@gmail.com;
contact@deepachakravarthy.com
Website:
www.deepachakravarthy.com
Photo credits: StudioAvey
