Deepti Omchery Bhalla

🪔 About

Deepti Omchery Bhalla, born in Delhi in 1957, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer specializing in Mohiniyattam, a Carnatic music vocalist, scholar, and educator. She began her artistic journey at the age of four, receiving initial training in dancing and singing from her mother, Dr. Leela Omchery, an eminent musicologist and Carnatic singer. Her rigorous training encompassed multiple classical forms. She learned Mohiniyattam from the legendary Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma in Tripunithura, Kerala. For over 12 years, she also trained in Kathakali under veteran gurus such as Punnathur Madhava Panicker, Gopinath, Sadanam Nandakumar, Nelliyodu Vasudevan Nampoothiri, and Sadanam Balakrishnan. In Carnatic music, she was guided by her mother and Vidwan T.S. Raghavan, while her Hindustani music training came from the renowned Dagar brothers and Yunus Hussain Khan. Academically, Dr. Bhalla holds a bachelor's degree, a gold medal, a Master's, and a Ph.D. in Carnatic Music from the University of Delhi. Her career at the University of Delhi began in 1985 as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995 and Professor in 1996. She has also served as the Head and Dean of the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts. Her research primarily focuses on the music and dance traditions of Kerala, and she has authored scholarly works such as "Gleanings in Indian Music," "Vanishing Temple Arts of Kerala," and "Keralatelle Laasya Rachnakal." As a performer, Dr. Bhalla has presented over a thousand performances globally, contributing significantly to the international recognition of India's performing arts heritage. She has performed at prestigious festivals within India, including Swarna Samorah, Nritya Rupa, Konark Fest, and Khajuraho Fest, and internationally in countries like Germany, Japan, Korea, and the Middle East. She is also a top-graded artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. Through Trikala Gurukulam, an institution founded by her mother in Delhi, she continues to impart training in both Carnatic Music and Mohiniyattam to young aspirants. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2007), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2007), SPIC Macay SAMMAN, Narada Gaana Sabha Award, Natya Ratna, Sangeeta Sarva Bhauma, Gold Medal in Carnatic Music, Award of Excellence, Lalita Kala Vichakshana, Abhivyakti Kala Sangam Award (Dance), Nana Miniscreen Award (Music), Delhi Academy of Arts Scholarship, Fellowships for research, Fellowships for research.