Devi Girish

Background

About Devi Girish

A substantial portion of my work as a Kuchipudi performer and Research Scholar has revolved around teaching the intricacies of the form through the substantial theoretical construct. I have submitted my Ph.D. thesis to the Department of Dance, the University of Hyderabad, under the guidance of Prof. Jonnalagadda Anuradha, and waiting for my post-submission viva voce. My M.Phil thesis from the Dept. of Comparative literature, University of Hyderabad, accentuates 'reading a performance' and 'dance as discourse'; both the theories are analyzed through Kuchipudi and Theyyam (a folk art form of Kerala). I am also a Junior Research Fellow of the Ministry of Culture; my research work for this scholarship is entitled "The Unseen: Hierarchical power politics with the appropriation of Divinity in Gollakalapam" this substantiates the appropriation of class/clan hierarchy with the umbrella term 'divinity in Gollakalapam performance and text.' I have completed my Masters' Degree in Performing Arts with a specialization in Kuchipudi from the Central University of Hyderabad. I was invited as an Expert Committee member of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, Kerala, to develop a detailed module on Dance as a General Elective for the Graduation level. My papers on the area of my focus have been published in some of the prestigious International publications.I have also given lecture demonstrations and workshops for some of the leading performing arts centers in Kerala. Along with the academic background, I have equally attempted to focus on my practical inputs in Kuchipudi and was fortunate to be featured in some prestigious National and International Festivals. Being an Empanelled Artist of Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, I have been graded as "Promising Category Artists" to work with the Ministry of Culture in the 'Festivals of India Abroad" as part of the focused strategy for strengthening International Cultural Relations and enhancing India's soft power through culture. I have performed in some of the prestigious National Dance Festivals - Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Soorya Dance and Music Festival,'Rasavikalpam' of Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi,'Uttara Purv Nritya Parv 'of Sangeet Natak Akademi (Delhi), Uday Shankar Festival, and Ananya Nrithollasa.