Who are we?
Our team is a passionate, dynamic group of Bharatanatyam dancers who have joined hands since 2020 to expand Bharatanatyam’s reach in Germany
Why?
Varnam Salon Deutschland
In Germany, the most often heard feedback is "I do not follow/connect with the words and meaning". We want to change that.
With Varnam Salon Deutschland we open the stage to bring Bharatanatyam recitals closer to the audience via conversation with the viewers. Ask whatever you wish to.
To inspire young dancers to take up the challenge of varnams
To keep varnams alive and thriving, even centuries after being composed.
We work as an independent extension to Varnam salon California, USA to sow, nourish and sustain a hub for Indian classical dance in Germany
PASSIONATE | DYNAMIC | PROFESSIONALS
The Team
The people behind the curtains, who opens the stage to bring Bharatanatyam recitals closer to the audience.
Professionals in the field and long-time event-organisers, this trio engage in bringing great viewership to classical Indian dance
Josephine Ramya
Ramya is a Bharatanatyam practitioner and completed masters in Bharatanatyam from Tamil university. She is the founder-director of Indira School of performing arts which is a platform to promote classical art forms and artists. The aim of dance education forms the foundation pillar of this institute and various topics in Classical Arts are moulded into courses. Her most recent project of conducting 'Marga Nritta Karanas’ course in collaboration with Indian artist Ms Vithya Arasu was successfully launched pulling in dancers from all over the world into one platform.
Deepika Panchamukhi
Deepika is a professional dancer, originally from Mumbai based in Munich. Her zest of life stems from being a dancer, curator and teacher. Her most recent work in Germany are ‘ārambhin - dance series’: an evening of Bharatanatyam group-recital and ‘Munich Adavu Meetup’ : Co-founding of a monthly gathering for Bharatanatyam dancers in and around Munich to build a strong community. Since 2019, at her institute ārohaṇa, Deepika teaches 30 students. She also produces and performs in her brainchild 'Bayern Baithak' which are studio showcases all over Bavaria, spreading awareness of Indian art forms.
Dr. Vijayalakshmi Villadathu
Dr. Vijayalakshmi Villadathu, is the Managing Director and Founder of Thakajum Indian Dance & Music Academy based in Nuremberg that promotes all Indian classical art forms under one umbrella. Thakajum had collaborated with more than 40 local classical dancers from various age groups in Germany to perform for the "Indien Weltmissionstag 2019" in Nuremberg, Bamberg and Abtei Münsterschwarzach pulling more than 2000 participants to watch and enjoy, create awareness and inspire them with Indian classical dance forms. She devotes her time to pursue and promote her passion for dance all over Germany, Europe and abroad. She is a member of the International Dance Council (CID c/o UNESCO, Paris, France) and is leading CID-UNESCO projects to connect Indian Dance Schools in Germany and Europe.. She had been the President of Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft (Indo-German Society) (2013-2020) that fosters cultural and political exchanges between the 2 countries.
