Divija Mellaly

🪔 About

Divija Mellaly is a contemporary and South Asian classical dancer, primarily recognized for her work in Kathak. Her foundational education in dance includes a BA (Hons) in Dance from Bath Spa University. Further solidifying her diverse movement vocabulary, Mellaly completed a two-year diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media at the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in India. This intensive program provided her with training in ballet, contemporary dance, and martial arts, contributing to her versatile artistic approach. Her Kathak training is rooted in a distinguished lineage, having studied under Aakash Odedra. This artistic heritage connects her to a revered line of Kathak masters, including her grand guru Kumudini Lakhia, great-grand guru Shambhu Maharaj, and the esteemed lineage ancestor Kalka Prasad Maharaj. This deep connection to a traditional Kathak parampara underscores her classical foundation. Based in the United Kingdom, Divija Mellaly operates as a freelance artist, engaging in various facets of the dance world, including performance, choreography, and facilitation. Her artistic endeavors are marked by a keen interest in the amalgamation of contemporary dance and Bharatanatyam, frequently incorporating elements of text and theatre into her creations. Mellaly's choreographic and performance work often explores profound human themes, with a stated aim to present new perspectives and compelling stories to her audiences. She is a proponent of making movement accessible to all, actively seeking opportunities to bring dance into diverse environments and continuously broaden her creative scope. As a performer, she collaborates with various dance companies, while also dedicating time to developing her own original choreographic pieces and serving as a facilitator and movement director for different groups. While her significant training and active career are evident, the NatyaNetwork currently notes that no students are recorded in her direct teaching lineage.