Vidushi Deepa S Manohar
Smt Subhashini Narayanan and Sri Manohar J A, thought of nurturing their daughter Deepa’s inborn interest of dancing. Deepa started learning Bharatanatyam at five and at the age of seven performed her Salangai Poojai under Guru Sri R Ganesh, Artistic Director of Sai Vidya Natyalaya. Born to the satellite scientists, Deepa studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya NAL and Vision PU. Alongside she did her KSEEB junior and senior dance exams under Guru Dr. Thanuja Raj and Guru Sri Sujith Kumar respectively. Then she did her Electronics and Communication Engineering at New Horizon College of Engineering with a project in DSG, ISAC, ISRO and worked briefly at Tata Consultancy Services as a Systems Software Engineer. Deepa then decided to pursue her passion, Bharatanatyam dedicatedly. She was motivated by the energetic and creative dancer, Guru Sri Charles Ma, Artistic Director of the Adishakti School of Bharatanatyam from whom she learnt certain detailed intricacies and nuances of the art-form and under his expert guidance performed her Arangetram on her sweet and supportive brother Suraj’s birthday. Deepa secured Distinction in both Pre and Post Vidwat conducted by the Government of Karnataka, Secondary Education Examination Board with the affectionate and proficient guidance of the most beautiful and eminent dancer, Guru Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa, Artistic Director of the Nartana Keertana Centre for Performing Arts, who is also a Guest Faculty for Post-Graduation, JAIN University, Bangalore. Deepa now is a Doordarshan Graded Artist and is a Teacher and Examiner for Junior and Senior Examination, KSGH, Mysuru.
Deepa has persented several Margams at many prestigious dance festivals like Aarambh 2015, five seasons of EKA which is a festival for Soloists and Bhaava Sagara celebrating Shri Krishna, organized by the Adishakti School of Bharatanatyam, Navaratri for Shakti Ganapati Temple and Odakathuru Swamigala Matha, Shivaratri performances at many Shiva Temples, for Brahmakumaris Linga Sthapana and Puducherry Natyanjali, Krishna Jayanthi for ISKCON and Raghavendra Swamy Matha. Deepa, under the able guidance of Guru Sri Charles Ma, has performed during the season of Margazhi for Anusham Fine Arts, Rasika Ranjani Sabha and Bharat Kalachar, Chennai. Deepa has danced in group formats for PanchaVimshathi and Naatya Nivedana organized by the Nartana Keertana Centre for Performing Arts. Deepa has performed for Sai Arts International as well.
Vidushi Deepa S Manohar, recently gave a breathtaking performance on the Shivarathri 2025, under the able guidance of Guru Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa. The Bharatanatyam Margam was based on Shiva, highlighting the Fourth state of consciousness (the Meditative state, aka Thuriya), Chathurtham.
Deepa is a member of Abhai. She has judged events of Kerala Samajam and NCC at JAIN. During the pandemic, on the teacher’s day, she was a guest for MyKahani’s social media page, in which she highlighted the importance of learning Bharatanatyam for mental health. She danced with her teacher and friend for SelfLove presented by iDare, introducing classical dance to youngsters. She was a speaker-artiste for an International conference series held this time in India and amazed a group of renowned scientists gathered from all across the globe; the 8th series-NanoSPD8 was held during the National Science Day 2023 at IISc, Bangalore, also marking the 75th year of their Metallurgy department. Through her talk and dance, she addressed the concepts of Energy, Elements and Nataraja and on how Modern Materials Science can be viewed through Indian Spiritual Science. Deepa being a very creative all-rounder, was a children’s favorite Dance teacher at Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Vignan nagar. She also taught Computer Science at the same school.
Apart from being an active achiever in dance and academics, Deepa has taken part in many sports meets and cultural events. She represented her school and college at National and State Level Volleyball tournaments. She received Rajyapuraskar in the Bharat Scouts and Guides movement. She is also a Bulbul flock leader. She is certified in Carnatic music. She has learnt Vocal under the caring guidance of Guru Smt Rama Devi. She has played Veena for Sahasra Veena and Naadotsava as a part of the World Culture Festival under the kind guidance of Guru Sri Gurudatt and Guru Smt Uma Prahalad respectively. She learnt certain compositions from the talented Music Sisters Aruna and Charndralekha. She had an opportunity to learn certain deeper aspects of the Veena under the humble guidance of the torch bearer of the Saraswati Veena, Guru Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh. Deepa was fortunate to learn Ashtanga Yoga under the guidance of Guru Dr. Aravinda K, Founder of Shreyas Center for Yoga, who is also the HOD, ECE (VLSI), NHCE. Deepa is a certified Sri Sri Yoga trainer and is a Volunteer of the Art of Living. She also follows Ayurveda and is a Blesser. She continues to upgrade herself in upcoming technologies like Sensors, AI&ML as well.
Deepa is a Performing Artiste and the Artistic Director of the Aavahanam School of Bharatanatyam which began in 2011 as an idea with a very few interested disciples genuinely seeking guidance in learning the beautiful Art. Aavahanam is now a space in which budding minds are guided to blossom to their true potential at their own pace. The objective is to use Dance as a means to attain their goals in life in whichever field they like including dance. Aavahanam has had progressive festivals called Aavahanam 2017 (introduction to invocatory dances), Kamalalaye 2019 (introduction to Abhinaya), Trikala 2022 (introduction to Shabdam and Varnam) and Chathur Purushartha 2024 (evolution through shades of Bhakti). Two disciples have successfully performed their Arangetram (Kumari Jahnavi on the World Dance Day 2023 and Kumari Ramya on Vijayadashami 2023). The children of Aavahanam were fortunate to have danced during the inauguration of Shri Ram lalla mandir Ayodhya in their area and later at Venkateshwara and Shanimahatma devasthana 2024. While teaching, Deepa puts together the essence of the knowledge she has received from her Gurus from all fields of life. Deepa who was born on a Diwali, wishes to be a guiding light to aspirants who wish to pursue dance in their pursuit of Happiness.
