Deepa Mani has distinguished herself as a talented and versatile dancer and teacher in both Classical Bharatanatyam and Contemporary dance. With thirty plus (30+) years of training and experience, Deepa is a consummate dancer with acclaimed performances in India, United States and Australia.

​Deepa derives her roots from Chennai, India where she started her training in Bharatanatyam at the age of 6, under the tutelage of Kalaimamani Srimathi. Padmini Dorairajan. She is trained in the Pandanallur and Kalakshetra styles, graduating in 1998 with the title “Nritya Kala Ranjini”. Deepa has performed in acclaimed establishments in India including the National Dance Festival, Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan and Tamil Sangam.

Today Deepa balances her time between sharing her knowledge and talents with schools and students at her own school, while continuing to share her culture and performances with audiences across the nation including showcases as a lead dancer at Metro DC Dance, Capitol Fringe and Alexandria Performing Arts, to name a few.

At the Chandralaya School of Dance, Deepa leads her students to explore and celebrate heritage through creativity where the students are at the heart of the school. Offering a plethora of classes to learn her artform, Deepa is driven to share her cultural heritage, knowledge and talents from being in the studio with her students, providing masterclasses and dance workshops, taking to the stage to share her journey as both an artist and guest speaker through to collaborations with schools and productions.

“Chandralaya joined our school on Multicultural Day leading a workshop for Year 4 & 6 students. Deepa engaged the students brilliantly providing a detailed explanation of the cultural background of the dance styles. Students observed a range of key movements and then had a go themselves with smiles on their faces as they immersed themselves into another culture.”

                                                       – Ryan Fede, St. Paul’s Primary Melbourne

“Deepa is an amazing dance teacher. Deepa shared the different Indian art forms and demonstrated the dances to 300 students during our Cultural Festival. Deep also conducted dance workshops and engaged all our students effectively. They love her workshops.”

                                                    -Wai Ling Lee , Geelong Grammar

“Introducing our students to a rich cultural program was excellent and not something we regularly access. Chandralaya engaged our students engaged in dance, drama, movement, music, mindfulness – fabulous! Focussing on fitness through dance and exercise was excellent. Relaxation/mindfulness exercise was really well received. The whole session was positively received by our students and seen as a highlight – certainly supporting wellbeing.”

                                                    -J.Hayward , Strathewan Primary School

‘TOUCH’ is a piece which promotes diversity, community, and multiculturalism. It allows individuals to come together, celebrate their differences, and create a shared experience that transcends boundaries. Through dance, ‘TOUCH’ fosters understanding, appreciation, and unity in our increasingly diverse world.

TOUCH is a piece which delves into the stories of two dancers and their experiences. It addresses bias, racism and isolation, and through the intertwining of ballet and bharathanatyam promotes the beauty that transpires when we, as a society, take the time to understand and connect with one another.

By incorporating diverse styles and movements, the choreographers challenge existing norms and inspire conversations about inclusivity and acceptance. By showcasing the juxtaposition between art forms ‘TOUCH’ highlights the differences between cultures and beliefs. Through dance this work shows how people can honor their roots, express their unique identities, and educate others.

“Touch begins with an airing of grievances but develops into a celebration of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the potential for solidarity between women whose experiences of discrimination are different but resonant.”

Andrew Furhmann, The Age