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ABOUT DEVIKA
Devika Nair is an Indian Classical Dancer trained in Kalamandalam style of Indian Classical dances. Her career as a young budding instructor started at age 14 when she began providing dance lessons to students at home. This paved the path for her to become one of the most versatile, gifted and revered Classical Dancers and Instructors. In the year 2004, Devika founded Shivalaya Classical Dances in Kerala, India and served as its Artistic Director for many years. She founded Shivarchana Classical Dances in 2014 and continues to serve as the Artistic Director.
After migrating to the United States, Devika established Sattvika Dance Academy in 2016. Among the Indian diaspora, she is considered a beacon that keeps alive the roots of Indian culture and its traditions abroad for future generations. In the last 18 years as a teacher, Devika was an inspiration for all her students to set high standards, strive for excellence and be future leaders, both in life and in the performing arts.
THE BEGINNING
Devika started her initial training in Bharatanatyam at the tender age of three from her first guru, Guru Smt. Chandrika of Natyalaya School of Classical Dances, Kothamangalam, Kerala. As a quick learner, she was among very few talented dancers of her age to perform in many solo and group performances on stage.
Guru Smt. Chandrika was impressed by Devika's talent and eagerness in learning the performing arts and so she recommended her for Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam training from her sister, the legendary and celebrated doyenne of Indian Classical dances, Guru Smt. Kalamandalam Sumathy.
TRAINING
At 7, Devika joined Natyalaya School of Classical Dances in Perumbavoor, Kerala. Here, she was trained and perfected for more than 15 years in multiple Indian performing art forms like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kerala Nadanam, and folk dances by Guru Smt. Kalamandalam Sumathy.
Devika was privileged to have won numerous accolades by participating in youth festivals and many district, state and national-level competitions. She was very privileged to be part of a 1,200-member dance team, whose performance earned a place in the 2006 Guinness Book of Records.
Devika was fortunate to receive valuable lessons and trainings from eminent dance artists and Gurus like Guru Smt. Chandrika, Guru Smt. Kalamandalam Sumathy, Guru Smt. Kalamandalam Leelamma, Smt. Rukmini Vijayakumar, Guru Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, and Guru Shri RLV Anand.