Divya Warier: A Celebrated Mohiniyattam Performing Artist and Passionate Social Activist
October 13, 2023
Divya Warier: A Force of Change Through Dance
October 13, 2023
Divya Warier is a name that resonates with passion, dedication, and an insatiable appetite for Indian classical dance. As a graded artist of Mumbai Doordarshan in both Mohiniyattam & Bharatnatyam, she has made a considerable impact in the world of classical arts.
Achievements as a Young Artist
Divya's journey is filled with numerous notable achievements. She served as the Assistant Choreographer for the National Award-winning song Ghoomar from the movie Padmavat. As a member of the Indian Film & Television Choreographers Association, she continues to work in the Bollywood industry as a Classical dance expert.
Her influence is not just limited to the world of dance. Divya is also a trustee of Warrier Foundation, an NGO that runs a Vedic school and supports more than 3000 underprivileged kids. She is the founding member of Natya Quotient, a collective of artists based in Mumbai coming together with an intent to engage in artistic initiatives involving Indian Classical Dance.
Divya's Work as a Teacher and Mentor
Divya is the founder and dance teacher at Avyukt Arts, where she imparts dance training to more than 250 students across Mumbai, Kerala, USA, and Dubai. She has performed across India and abroad, boasting more than 1000 stage & TV performances to her credit.
She has been instrumental in curating and conducting unique workshops like Pratiroop - a unique Cross mentorship program. This program, India's first-ever cross-fellowship curated during Covid, brought professional artists from different Indian classical dance styles together to create unique work under the mentorship of stalwarts from the Indian Classical dance.
Achievements in Mohiniyattam
Divya's contributions to Mohiniyattam are remarkable. She developed an E-Learning Module to teach Sougandhika Kalari for the Art of Living Foundation, headed by Sri Sri Ravishankar in 2022. She has represented Mohiniyattam for NCPA'S Vistaar Series and conducted workshops to promote Mohiniyattam for Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural center (NMACC) for their Bachpan special Monsoon series 2023.
Divya holds the unique distinction of being the only Mohiniyattam artist to be commissioned by the Serendipity festival – Goa (2023) for a collaborative experimental work alongside a Kavad Folk Artist from Rajasthan.
Warrier Foundation - Cultural Initiatives
Through the Warrier Foundation, Divya has initiated several cultural initiatives. Avyukt Arts, a dance school in Mumbai started in 2012, imparts Bharatnatyam and Mohiniyattam dance classes along with special workshops for students from marginal sections of the society.
The foundation also runs a Vedic Pathashal and Gurukul at Panvel, Mumbai - A Gurukulam school under Ujjain University imparting the traditional vedic education system. Additionally, the foundation has been supporting various dance festivals and classical artists in Mumbai since 2012 through logistical support, conducting workshops, and more.
Divya's journey is an inspiration for many, and her contributions to the world of Indian classical dance are invaluable. Her work continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of artists.
