Arts

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)
DEEPA Ganesh and her daughters, Nivedita and Vaishnavi, who all practice the ancient Indian dance, Bharatnatyam
DEEPA Ganesh and her daughters, Nivedita and Vaishnavi, who all practice the ancient Indian dance, Bharatnatyam

Dancing Deepa


20/12/2005

IT'S just over a year now since Indian dance star Deepa Ganesh came to Manchester.

And in that short time she's been inundated with requests to perform her traditional Indian dance - Bharatnatyam.

Deepa, who is usually accompanied on stage by her daughters Vaishnavi, aged nine and Nivedita, seven, has packed out the Lowry Theatre and performed in front of huge audiences throughout the north west.

She is also using her dancing group Upsana, which she set up in her native Madras, to take the Bharatnatyam art form to the people of Manchester.

The interest it has garnered has been a little short of astounding.

Back home in India, Deepa is a household name and once performed for the Indian premier Manmohan Singh.

She also made numerous appearances on regional and national television.

Deepa now lives in Osborne Street, Didsbury, with her businessman husband Ganesh and two daughters.

She said: "I came here not knowing anyone and didn't have one contact. It's up the individual to make their own contacts and make it on their own. The odds are certainly against you and it took me a while to get people to accept my art form.

"Once I started to get recognised I couldn't believe how quickly word spread. All of a sudden I had offers to play here, there and everywhere.

"Even more satisfying for me was seeing my two daughters up on stage carrying on with tradition."

Before arriving in the UK, Deepa had lived in Dubai for 10 years where her husband was transferred by his company.

She says that her stay in Manchester is entirely dependent on her husband's work.

But she has certainly made herself at home, and since starting Upsana classes in Didsbury, Deepa has seen the number of students grow from a mere handful to more than 60.

The ages range from seven to mid 40s.

She said: "I suppose I'm one of the first Indian dance teachers to make an impact over here and in Dubai.

"It's all about nourishing the local talent. I still get emails from my students in Dubai."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)


Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   Mrs Deepa Ganesh was my dance teacher when I used to live in Dubai. I was delighted to come across this article. I really miss learning dance from her.
Anisha Adhikari, Pune, India
3/03/2007 at 15:03
   Hi please could you forward contact details for Deepa as Ihave been on a day of dance that I organised with her and have lost contact. My daughter is wanting to start dance lessons with Deepa thank you for your assistance.
sue, newsome
16/02/2007 at 22:03
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Personal Finance
 

HASH(0x1536c174)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
PRINCIPALITY BS
e-SAVER 		5.35%
ANGLO IRISH BANK
Easy Access Account Issue 2 		5.25%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		4.75%
BRADFORD & BINGLEY
eSavings 6 		4.60%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		5.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply