Manali Deo

🪔 About

Manali Deo is a prominent Indian classical Kathak dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She is recognized as a promising artist among the present young generation of Kathak dancers. Deo is a senior disciple of the esteemed Kathak Guru Dr. Mrs. Manjiri Deo, who herself was a disciple of the legendary Natraj Gopikrishna. Further enriching her artistic lineage, Manali Deo is also the daughter-in-law of Dr. Mrs. Manjiri Deo and the wife of tabla maestro Talmani Mukundraj Deo, from whom she continues to learn the intricate nuances of layakari in Kathak dance. Academically, Manali Deo holds a commerce degree from Mumbai University. She has also achieved significant qualifications in Kathak dance, securing 'Sangeet Visharad' and 'Sangeet Alankar' from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Miraj. She is the director of Shree Ganaraj Nritya Kala Niketan, an institution based in Thane, through which she dedicates herself to imparting the knowledge of Kathak dance to young aspirants. Beyond classical Kathak, she also teaches students the rich cultural heritage of India through various folk dances. Manali Deo is an 'A' grade artist of Doordarshan and All India Radio, and has performed extensively in India and internationally, including in Mauritius, Singapore, and the Ray Union islands, where her performances have received significant acclaim. Her performance credits include various music festivals such as Shivali Music festival, Kathak Dance Festival of Lasya academy, and Padmashree Natraj Gopikrishna Sangeet Mahotsav. She has also contributed to the dance community as a regular examiner, paper setter, and moderator for Kathak examinations conducted by Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Miraj, and other institutions. Her media presence extends to television, where she has served as a jury member on Zee Marathi's 'Eka peksha ek' and as a judge on 'Dum-Duma-Dum'. Awards & Honours: Nrutyanaipun Puraskar, Nrutyashivali award, A Grade Artist.