Divya Ravi

About

Dance is my way of digging into stories that often get lost - especially the forgotten voices of women from the past. I find myself jumping into old Pāli, Marathi, and Tamil poetry, looking for moments that still hit hard today. Sometimes the search is messy, but when I get to share these stories on stage, it all feels worth it.

What You’ll See

I perform everywhere - big sabhas, small baithaks, even spaces that aren’t meant for dance. Each show feels different, like a new conversation.

• Traditional Solo (Margam): Pure Bharatanatyam, with pieces taught by my Gurus and some of my own. There’s a mix of sharp technique and raw abhinaya (expression).
• Thematic Productions: Here’s where I dig deep. I’ve explored Buddhist nuns’ poetry (Abandhana), women’s writing across centuries (Akhyat Ākhyānā), and even looked at Vitthala as a mother (VitthāMāi). These are narrative Bharatanatyam storytelling pieces, mixing dance, research, and poetry.

My Process

Usually, I start with a poem or a story. Before dancing, I talk a bit about what’s behind the piece - makes things less abstract, especially for folks new to classical dance. Love, bhakti, feminism, spirituality - I try not to shy away from real emotion.

Not a Solo Act

Honestly, it’s never just me. My team of musicians brings the performances alive - their energy is everything. Couldn’t do it without them.