Deepti Omcheri Bhalla

🪔 About

Dr. Deepti Omchery Bhalla, born in Delhi in 1957, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, Carnatic music vocalist, scholar, and educator. She is widely recognized as one of India's most eminent exponents of Mohiniyattam, a classical dance tradition known for its grace and expressive depth. Her extensive training includes Mohiniyattam under the legendary Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma at Tripunithura in Kerala. She also received rigorous training in Kathakali for over 12 years from eminent gurus such as Punnathur Madhava Panikkar, Guru Gopinath, Sadanam Nandakumar, Nelliyode Vasudevan Nampoothiri, and Sadanam Balakrishnan. In Carnatic music, she was trained by her mother, Dr. Leela Omchery, and Shri S. Raghavan, and in Hindustani music by the Dagar brothers and Yunus Hussain Khan. Dr. Bhalla holds a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in Carnatic music from the University of Delhi, where she also topped her M.Phil course. Her career includes serving as Assistant Secretary (Performing Arts) in the Sahitya Kala Parishad Delhi from 1982 to 1985. Since 1985, she has been a faculty member at the University of Delhi, becoming an Assistant Professor in 1985, an Associate Professor in 1995, and a Professor in 1996. She has also served as Head and Dean of the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Delhi. Dr. Bhalla has performed over a thousand times worldwide, significantly contributing to the global recognition of India's performing arts heritage. She is also a prolific researcher and author, focusing on traditional music and dance forms of Kerala, and has expanded the Mohiniyattam repertoire through innovative choreographic works and research findings. She imparts training in Carnatic Music and Mohiniyattam at Trikala Gurukulam, an institution founded by her mother. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2007), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2006), Spic Macay Samman, Narada Gaana Sabha Award, Award of Excellence, Natya Ratna, Lalita Kala Vichakshana, Sangeeta Sarva Bhauma, Abhivyakti Kala Sangam Award (Dance), Nana Miniscreen Award (Music), Delhi Academy of Arts Scholarship.