Divyaa Unni

🪔 About

Divyaa Unni is an internationally recognized Indian classical dancer, teacher, and choreographer, primarily known for her expertise in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattom. Born in Kochi, Kerala, India, on September 2, 1981, she began her Bharatanatyam training at the tender age of three. She received her foundational training under highly respected gurus Kalamandalam Gopinath and RLV Anil Kumar, and has also attended workshops with renowned dancer Rama Vaidyanathan. Unni demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age, being crowned "Kalathilakom" in the Kerala School Kalolsavam statewide competitions in both 1990 and 1991. Her dance performances, encompassing Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattom, and various folk dances, were featured on India's premier television channel, Doordarshan, from 1987 to 1994, starting when she was just six years old. Beyond her early accolades, Divyaa Unni has maintained an active and illustrious performing career, presenting solo recitals and group productions across India and on international stages throughout North America, Europe, and the Persian Gulf countries. Notable performances include her Bharatanatyam recitals at the Soorya Parampara Festival in Thiruvananthapuram in 2017 and 2019. In 2003, driven by a passion to promote Indian culture in the West, Divyaa Unni founded the Sreepadam School of Arts in Houston, Texas, USA, where she serves as the Artistic Director. The academy nurtures young talent in various Indian classical dance forms, with nearly 120 students under her tutelage. She is known for her expressive Abhinaya style while upholding the technical purity of Bharatanatyam and has conceived and directed numerous dance and drama productions. Divyaa Unni has received several honors for her contributions to dance, including the Aravindaksha Memorial Award – Abhinaya Tilaka Puraskaram for best state dance performance and the Bhavans Jyothi title. In a significant achievement, she led a team of 11,600 dancers to break a Guinness World Record in Bharatanatyam in Kochi on December 29, 2024. She continues to balance her roles as a performer, choreographer, and guru while residing in Houston, Texas. Awards & Honours: Kalathilakom (1990), Kalathilakom (1991), Aravindaksha Memorial Award – Abhinaya Tilaka Puraskaram, Bhavans Jyothi, Guinness World Record (Largest Bharatanatyam Dance) (2024).