Mala Desai

🪔 About

Mala Desai is a distinguished Indian classical dancer and master teacher of Odissi, known for her dedication to the Guru-Shishya Parampara and the Mayadhar Raut style of Odissi. Born in New Delhi, India, she began her journey in classical dance at the age of three or four with Kathak, a style prevalent in the Banaras region. In 1970, after moving to New Delhi, she studied Bharatanatyam for four to five years. Her introduction to Odissi came in 1977, when she attended a class at the Jagannath Temple, marking a pivotal shift in her artistic focus. She subsequently earned her Diploma in Odissi Dance from the Guru Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, becoming a senior disciple of the renowned Padmashri Guru Mayadhar Raut. Desai has performed professionally since 1982, showcasing her artistry in India and the USA for over 25 years. While pursuing a career in social work in the 1980s, she continued to nurture her passion for Odissi. In 1992, she relocated to the United States, settling in Queens, New York. Her first public performance in the US took place at Queens Borough Hall in 1993, after which she began teaching students from her home. In 1997, she registered the first School of Odissi Dance in New York, formally establishing Mala's School of Odissi Dance in 2001, which has since become a cornerstone for Odissi in the city. As a dedicated educator, Mala Desai has been teaching since 1994, conducting classes, workshops, and lecture demonstrations. She joined the dance faculty at the Young Indian Culture Group in Herricks, New York, in 2005. Since 2003, she has guided numerous students through their “Manch Pravesh” graduations. Desai is also a creative choreographer, having choreographed student and professional productions since 2008, including works like “Deeksha” (2008), “Nritya Parichaya” (2009), “Abhisarika Nayika” (2009), and “Yaatra” (2010). Her contributions to the arts have been recognized with certificates for Classical Dance from the Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh University, and a New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) scholarship for immigrant and traditional artists. Awards & Honours: Certificates for Classical Dance, Scholarship for immigrant and traditional artists.