Deepti Yogananda

Deepti’s love for dance started at a very early age watching other students learning the adavus and mudra in the dance class conducted by her mother. she formally started learning Bharatanatyam from a tender age of 4 from her mother and Guru Smt. Sunita Yogananda. Born in a family of artiste, she has developed passion towards Bharatanatyam. To enhance her dance learning experience she is also learning Carnatic music from Guru Smt. Lakshmi Varanasi in Indianapolis, USA.
In pursuit of learning the nuances of Bharatanatyam, Deepti had the opportunity to learn the art form from Karnataka Kalashree Guru Smt. Uma Rao, Director of Sri Lalithakala Academy, Mysore; Smt. Shaly Vijayan a faculty member of Kalakshetra, Chennai and Guru M.R. Krishnamurthy from Kalakshiti, Bengaluru.
Deepti has been giving performances since the age of 7 with other students of Kalakshiti. She has performed Solo dances at various cultural diversity events in and around Indianapolis, Indiana. She continues to play major roles in all Kalakshiti Productions. She was one of the finalists selected to compete at the Cleveland Thyagaraja festival in USA.
Learning the Indian classical dance and music has helped Deepti get a better understanding of her cultural roots. Deepti did her Arangetram (Debut Recital) in June 2011 in Bengaluru in front of eminent gurus, dance connoisseurs and her extended family.
Achievements
• Won 1st prize in Midwest United States talent search competition - 2007
• Has been selected as finalist for Bharatanatyam competition in Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, Cleveland, OH -May 2011

Performances:
Has performed in Kalakshiti productions –
o Manifestations of Devi- 2008
o Ramayana – A Visual Journey – 2010
• International Dance Festival, Indianapolis – 2006 – 2011
• Kannada Koota Indianapolis Cultural Events – 2006-2010
• India Association of Indianapolis – India Day celebration - 2006
• Hindu Temple of Indiana Anniversary - 2008
• International Cultural Day, Vincennes University, IN - 2009
• Demonstration and performance in Bloomfield library, Bloomfield, IN – 2009
• Sangam, representation of East and West, organized by Eli Lilly & Co. – 2008 & 2009
• Demonstration and performance in Fishers library, Fishers, IN - 2010
• Diwali celebrations at Purdue University, West Lafeyette, IN – 2010
• Asian Cultural Night, Indiana Wesleyan University – 2010
• Diversity week celebration at Wayne Township High School, IN - 2011
• Diwali celebrations at Purdue University, West Lafeyette, IN – 2011