Deveika Chetram

🪔 About

Deveika Chetram was a prominent figure in Indian classical dance, particularly known for her contributions to Kathak in the Indo-Caribbean diaspora. Born and raised in Alexander Village, Guyana, Chetram developed an early passion for Indian dance, initially choreographing and performing freestyle dances for local events. Her dedication led her to pursue formal Kathak training at the Indian Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana, where she had the privilege of learning from esteemed exponents of Kathak Dance, Guru Shri Pratap Pawar and the late Pandit Durgalall. Chetram's eagerness to learn facilitated rapid progress, and she soon performed alongside her teachers throughout Guyana. She was a principal dancer and choreographer for the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha until her departure from Guyana in 1979. After migrating to Canada in 1976, she began performing and dancing for local charitable organizations and temples due to community requests. In 1989, Deveika Chetram, along with her sister Geeta Leo, co-founded the Tarana Dance School, becoming the first West Indians to establish an institution for Indian dance education in Canada, teaching both Kathak and Odissi. The school grew significantly, leading Chetram to establish the Tarana Dance Centre in March 2002, dedicated to teaching and promoting various Indian dance styles. Her commitment to Kathak extended to attending workshops in New Delhi and Toronto led by the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj. She also founded Natya Arts Productions Inc., a non-profit organization aimed at promoting classical Indian dance and music, serving as its Artistic Director. In 2006, she brought Pandit Birju Maharaj and Saswati Sen to Canada to conduct Kathak workshops for students and teachers from across Canada and abroad. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Chetram was recognized for her significant contributions to the arts, receiving numerous awards from the Indo-Caribbean and South Asian communities. She also served as a Board of Director for the Markham Arts Council and adjudicated several dance competitions. Deveika Chetram passed away in 2020 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer's. Awards & Honours: Awards for contribution to the arts, Awards for contribution to the arts.