Deepa Narayanan

🪔 About

Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, also known as Deepa Sashindran, is a highly regarded Indian classical dancer specializing in Kuchipudi, with a career spanning over four decades. Born Deepa Narayanan Nair on July 3, 1974, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, she began her classical dance journey at the age of five with Bharatanatyam under Gurus Kalamandalam Usha Datar and Dr. Savithri Ramaiah. At eight, she transitioned to Kuchipudi, becoming a prime disciple of the renowned exponent Smt. Manju Bhargavi, under whom she trained for three decades, following the legacy of the late Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. She further honed her skills and explored new choreographies under Guru Vempati Ravi Shankar. Deepa Narayanan Sashindran is a versatile artist, choreographer, teacher, and art curator. She has carved a niche for herself with original choreographic works, including numerous solo repertoires, features, and dance dramas. Her performances have graced stages across India, North America, and the UAE. In 2011, she founded the Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation in Bangalore, a non-profit trust dedicated to propagating and promoting the Kuchipudi classical dance form. The foundation offers systematic training, including master classes in Bangalore and Calicut, Kerala, aiming to cultivate high-caliber artists. Through her foundation, she actively teaches aspiring dancers in India, Europe, USA, Australia, South Korea, the UAE, and South Africa. Her contributions to Kuchipudi have earned her significant recognition. She is empanelled with the Central Ministry of Culture for festivals abroad and is a recognized artist of the Kannada & Culture Government of Karnataka. Among her numerous accolades are the "Best Kuchipudi Artiste of Karnataka" from Yuvaranga, the Nritya Shiromani National Award, the Sathyabhama Award from Padmasri Sobha Naidu, and the International Women Achievers Award from Garden University. Beyond dance, she holds a law degree and has a background as a human resources specialist and entrepreneur. Awards & Honours: FKCCI (Federation of Karnataka Chambers and Commerce Industry), EMERG Karnataka first women entrepreneurs group, Best Kuchipudi Artiste of Karnataka from Yuvaranga, Nritya Shiromani National Award, Sathyabhama Award from Kuchipudi danseuse Padmasri Sobha Naidu, International Women Achievers Award from Garden University, Nrithya Vilasini, Natya Kousthuba, Honored by the Philanthropic Society of India, Honored by Nanma Kerala, Best Institution Recognition Bangalore Times.