32+
Years of Experience
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Followers
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…
Journey Timeline
1960s
Born in New Delhi, India — Exact year not specified, but started dancing at age 3-4 and moved to New Delhi in 1970.
Began learning Kathak — Started dancing Kathak at the age of three or four.
1970
Moved to New Delhi
Studied Bharatanatyam — Learned Bharatanatyam for four or five years.
1977
Began learning Odissi — Became aware of Odissi in Delhi and started learning from Guru Mayadhar Raut.
1982
Began performing professionally
1983
Married
1986
Started a family
1992
Moved to the United States — Settled in Queens, New York.
1993
First public performance in the US — Performed at Queens Borough Hall.
1994
Began teaching dance — Started teaching students in her home after her first US performance.
1997
Registered the first School of Odissi Dance in New York
2001
Mala's School of Odissi Dance established — Recognized as the first school in New York dedicated to Odissi.
2003
Began presenting students in "Manch Pravesh"
2005
Joined dance faculty at Young Indian Culture Group — Taught at their weekend school in Herricks, New York.
2008
Began choreographing student and professional productions
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- Certificates for Classical Dance — Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh University
- Scholarship for immigrant and traditional artists — New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
Media Coverage
- Mala Desai
The Odissi Profiles
- Support Mala's School of Odissi Dance
GoFundMe (Fundraiser by Reva Abrol)
- Odissi Indian Dance : Odissi Dance Costumes
DanceUs.org
Students
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Testimonials
Student & peer testimonials will appear here.
Upcoming Workshops
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