Monica Gallarate

🪔 About

Monica Gallarate is an Italian dancer, teacher, and choreographer specializing in Indian classical dance, primarily Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam. Her journey into Indian performing arts began in 1980 when she developed an interest in Kathakali, studying with maestro Kalamandalam K.M. John. In 1985, she commenced her formal training in Bharatanatyam in Milan with Maresa Moglia. She further honed her skills by attending annual courses with Savitri Nair at the Cini Foundation in Venice and received advanced training from esteemed gurus such as Krishnaveni Lakshmanan, the director of Kalakshetra Academy in Chennai, Professor C.V. Chandrashekar, and the legendary dancer Yamini Krishnamurti. Gallarate also delved into Mohiniattam, the feminine dance of Kerala, under the tutelage of Mary John Kalamandalam, and explored other Indian disciplines like the tribal dance Chhau and the martial art Kalaripayattu. She is recognized for her innovative approach to presenting Bharatanatyam, where she integrates Indian gestural language with Italian poetic expression to narrate mythological stories and tales of deities. Her choreographic works include "Avatara, la discesa necessaria" with the Lasya Dance Company, the "Scintille" cycle, and "Namaskar, omaggio al dio bambino," which she performs in schools and libraries. She has also collaborated with actress and dancer Lucrezia Maniscotti in the "Viaggi nel Tempio" cycle (Duo Agama). In March 2010, she served as the sutradhara, introducing Gustav Holst's chamber opera "Savitri" at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan with a mimed narration. Gallarate is also an author, having written the book "India a passo di danza." She is associated with Accademia Omkara, an institution that organizes workshops and courses.