AS a dancer, and as a choreographer, in every performance a story is told, and in the interest of blending Ballet and Bharathanatyam, Deepa Mani and Sheena Chundee are sharing their project, TOUCH, first premiered in 2023, addressing themes of isolation, prejudice, and racism.
Deepa, trained in Bharathanatyam and contemporary dance, and Sheena, a former Royal Ballet ballerina, first met in person in 2018 after Deepa was fascinated to hear of a woman of colour train with The Royal Ballet School.
“I initially thought this was quite contrary to what we’ve seen in the ages, with only Caucasians actually going through this kind of training,” said Deepa.
“It sparked an idea of collaboration between Bharathanatyam and Ballet, and it was at this point that I realised that there were a lot of differences, but there were a lot of similarities.”
Sheena said during their first face to face meeting, the two spoke of their traditional upbringings in terms of dance, and then the actual aesthetics of training, the steps being similar, and the movement and use of the body versus how that fits into society, and what society expect to see from two dancers that look a certain way.
TOUCH is a powerful blend of classical dance forms, two women from vastly different backgrounds, creating this groundbreaking performance that invites the audience into an evolving conversation about cultural inclusivity in the arts.
Throughout TOUCH, Deepa and Sheena share the stage with Jasmine Lim and together they want the younger generation to understand the unconscious biases that shape their perceptions of dance.
“I think it was very important to start showcasing Bharathanatyam, which is looked at as a very traditional form,” Deepa explained. “Though merging with Ballet, we can show the contemporary nature of the art form coming through across both genres.”
For Deepa, the idea of merging Bharathanatyam with Ballet speaks to her own experience as an artist. Her training began in India and continued evolving in the United States, where her contemporary journey started back in 2005. “And I’ve been collaborating with artists ever since,” she said.
Sheena’s background in the Royal Ballet’s competitive environment, accentuate the personal histories that fuel the work. Both artists are deeply committed to dismantling stereotypes within the dance world and showing that these genres can coexist, celebrate diversity, and tell powerful stories together.
Sheena’s own path, from a young ballet student in London to a professional with the Royal Ballet and eventually founding her own arts organisation, Rebel Stepz Arts, in Malvern, is a testament to her desire to create spaces for diversity in the arts. Her work with Rebel Stepz Arts has expanded across Australia, offering arts programs that promote inclusivity.
While Deepa’s own studio Chandralaya School of Dance teaches Bharathanatyam and contemporary dance. Their collaboration in TOUCH acts as a physical manifestation of these values, using the stage as a bridge for conversation about race, identity, and acceptance.
The project’s title, TOUCH, speaks to both the intimate connections between the dancers and the larger metaphor of breaking down walls in the art world.
“I think this is quite powerful for anybody practising or observing,” said Deepa.
By fusing these two rich art forms, TOUCH challenges conventional thinking in the world of dance, encouraging audiences to see beyond the surface and consider the stories that dance can tell — stories that are inclusive, diverse, and transformative.
The performance proves that art has the power to transcend boundaries, bringing people from all backgrounds together through a shared language of movement.
After presenting their story at Showcase Victoria, both, Deepa and Sheena were humbled to hear that there was space for their work within the regional venues, where they can share their story with the wider community.
TOUCH will showcase at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, February 22 and at the Forge Theatre in East Gippsland on Sunday, February 23.
