Deepa Mani

🪔 About

Deepa P Mani is an accomplished Indian classical and contemporary dancer, with over thirty years of training and experience, and is the Artistic Director of Chandralaya School of Dance in Melbourne, Australia. Her journey in Bharatanatyam began at the age of six in Chennai, India, where she trained under Kalaimamani Srimathi Padmini Dorairajan in the Pandanallur and Kalakshetra styles. She graduated in 1998 with the title “Nritya Kala Ranjini”. Deepa has performed in renowned establishments across India, including the National Dance Festival, Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan, and Tamil Sangam. In the early 2000s, she moved to the United States, where she continued to perform widely and diversified into contemporary dance, joining the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company (TMDC) as a lead dancer. In 2008, Deepa Mani relocated to Melbourne, Australia, continuing her dance pursuits under Dr. Chandrabhanu. She produced her first Melbourne solo show, “Daya,” under Jamudvipa Productions and Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy. Deepa holds a Diploma in Abhinaya Darpana (Dance Theory) from the Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India and has taught Bharatanatyam for several years in Chennai. She is recognized for her versatility and has performed across India, the United States, and Australia. As the founder and artistic director of Chandralaya School of Dance, Deepa is dedicated to teaching traditional Indian classical dance to both children and adults in Melbourne. She has also engaged in cross-cultural collaborations, notably with Sheena Chundee on the Ballet-Bharatanatyam piece "TOUCH." Awards & Honours: T.C. Parthasarathy award for best danseuse, Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy Excellence Award, APATA Performing Arts Teacher of the Year (2024), Best Performing Arts School (2025), Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion (2025).