Rasika Deshpande

Smt. Rasika Deshpande is an established exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi art forms. She is the founder and director of Nrityakala Dance School, Sacramento USA and has been imparting training in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi for 14 years.

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Rasika received her training in Bharatanatyam from Kalashiromani Guru Meera Chandrasekharan under whose tutelage she completed her Masters (‘Nritya Alankar’) through Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

 

During this period Rasika, while playing the lead roles, assisted in choreography for several dance dramas at the institution.

She was mesmerized by the Kuchipudi form of classical dance and exhibited a strong urge to study this style.

 

Consequently, she received her formal training in Kuchipudi from Guru Jaya Rama Rao and Vanashree Rao and later had the divine privilege to continue at the esteemed Kuchipudi Art Academy Chennai, under the guidance of Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

 

With many accolades to her name, she has received the prestigious title of ‘Singar Mani’ by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai. She has been a graded artist at Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai and has performed extensively around the world.

 

A Graphics Designer and performing artist by profession her dance career includes performances at Haridas Samaroh Mumbai, Siddhendra Yogi Festival Kuchipudi, Vividh Kala Mahotsav Maharashtra, SPIC-MACAY, Sivapadam Hyderabad and Global Natya Festival Cambodia, Anapale Greece Festival, Athens to name a few.