Why I Dance
A little of the joy that keeps me moving.
Hi, I’m Dakshina.
Dance is
my passion.
Bharatanatyam is my language.
A way to feel, to question, to tell a story.
I’m a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Welcome to my world of movement—and to the people, ideas and moments that keep me dancing.
Rooted in New Delhi. Always in motion.
01 / My story
I come from dance.
I make it my own.
I grew up in the world of Ganesa Natyalaya in Delhi, learning from my grandmother, Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan, and my mother, Rama Vaidyanathan.
They are my gurus, and the foundation of my life in Bharatanatyam. The discipline of that training stays with me—in the rehearsal room, on stage, and when I teach.
My curiosity also took me to electronics and communication engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology. Today, that interest in science finds its way into my dance. I love exploring how an idea can become a gesture, a rhythm, or a story.
Dance is the thread that brings it all together.
Read a conversation about my journey ↗The people who shaped me
My roots.
My teachers. My family.
I carry a living tradition with me. These are some of the people and shared moments at its heart.
A featured creation · Bharatanatyam solo
Ayoga
Vaatsalya.
How can I love someone I have never met?
I explore a mother’s anticipation of her unborn child: an intimate conversation in which the first meeting is also the beginning of two separate lives.
Through abhinaya, imagined play and the act of birth, this work follows a bond that changes its form without ending.
Enter the world of Ayoga Vaatsalya ↗02 / My creations
What if an idea
could dance?
Science, character, imagination. I bring my questions into Bharatanatyam and see where they lead.
01Newton’s Law of Karma
I explore the connection between action, reaction and karma, bringing my interest in scientific ideas into my choreography.
The story behind the idea ↗02Nakshatra
The twelve zodiac patterns become a starting point for a choreographic exploration of pattern and imagination.
Read about the creation ↗03Cleopatra
A different character, explored through the storytelling possibilities of Bharatanatyam.
Read the feature ↗04Shaktya
I share the stage with my mother, Rama, in this exploration of feminine energy.
Concept, script and choreography: Rama Vaidyanathan. Performers: Rama and Dakshina Vaidyanathan. Mridangam: Sannidhi Vaidyanathan.
Explore the programme ↗A life in movement
Look closer.
Stay a little longer.
Begin with a few moments I love.
Then find your own path through the archive.
Featured creationAyoga Vaatsalya
A love that begins before the first meeting.
Explore the work ↗Photo: Prasad Siddhanthi / NarthakiFrom the press · The TelegraphTwo voices.
One conversation.
A review of Dwita, with my mother, Rama.
Read the review ↗Photo: Simon Richardson / PulseThe collected moments
My living archive.
45 collected moments
In the joy of movement
Image published by The Times of India
Photo source ↗A moment in Bharatanatyam
Image published by Garhwal Post
Photo source ↗The quieter language of expression
Image published by Deccan Chronicle
Photo source ↗With my mother and grandmother
Courtesy Ganesa Natyalaya, published by Narthaki
Photo source ↗Three generations, sharing a stage
Courtesy Ganesa Natyalaya, published by Narthaki; image watermark: Roopachitram
Photo source ↗The family behind the dance
Courtesy Ganesa Natyalaya, published by Narthaki
Photo source ↗My teachers: Saroja and Rama Vaidyanathan
Courtesy Ganesa Natyalaya, published by Narthaki
Photo source ↗Beyond the stage
Image published by Deccan Herald
Photo source ↗A story told through dance
Image published by The Hindu
Photo source ↗In performance
Image published by The Times of India
Photo source ↗Dancing with my mother, Rama
Photo: Simon Richardson, published by Pulse
Photo source ↗Ayoga Vaatsalya — a conversation before the first meeting
Photo: Prasad Siddhanthi, published by Narthaki
Photo source ↗Ayoga Vaatsalya at Kalpodip Utsav
Image published by Narthaki; photographer not stated
Photo source ↗Why I Dance
A meeting of rhythm, expression and the joy of dancing.
Watch at source ↗Shoorpanakha
Explore character and storytelling through Bharatanatyam.
Watch at source ↗Soorya Festival
A performance from the Soorya Festival archive.
Watch at source ↗A talent to watch
Dance, family and the journey of finding my own voice.
Watch at source ↗Straight from my heart
A conversation from the public video archive.
Watch at source ↗Nakshatra
A glimpse of my choreographic exploration of the zodiac.
Watch at source ↗20 Questions
A conversation about the person behind the performance.
Watch at source ↗In the classroom
A Bharatanatyam class from the Routes 2 Roots archive.
Watch at source ↗Sharing the language of dance
A shared session with T. Reddi Lakshmi, with demonstrations and audience questions.
Watch at source ↗Shaktya — a glimpse
Rama and I share the stage in her exploration of feminine strength.
Watch at source ↗In conversation with my mother
Rama and I discuss choreography, musical choices and finding an individual voice.
Watch at source ↗ ↗New perspectives — old themes
Narthaki · Leela Venkataraman
A review of Ayoga Vaatsalya and its dialogue between a mother and her unborn child.
Open original ↗
↗Journeys of depth and new directions
Narthaki · Dr. Navina Jafa
Ayoga Vaatsalya at Kalpodip Utsav: a close reading of the concept, music and storytelling.
Open original ↗Expecting! / प्रत्याशा
Delhi Events · Bhagyam Arts & Ideas programme
The archived Triveni Kala Sangam programme featuring Ayoga Vaatsalya. Past event listing.
Open original ↗Ayoga Vaatsalya: an early performance diary
Kala Upasana · Shveta Arora
A detailed account of the early online presentation, made for Shishu Mandir. The original full film is no longer online.
Open original ↗Ayoga Vaatsalya at Shamiyana
Vrindan Foundation · Instagram
A presenter-shared glimpse from the India International Centre. Opens on Instagram.
Watch excerpt ↗A moment from Ayoga Vaatsalya
Vinay Tiwari · Instagram
A short public performance excerpt. Opens at its original source.
Watch excerpt ↗ ↗Dynamic duo
The Telegraph · Dance review
A review of Dwita, the duet I share with my mother, Rama Vaidyanathan.
Open original ↗Indian culture in every muscle, from eyelid to fingertip
The New York Times · Dance review
Coverage of Dancing the Gods in New York, including Rama and me. A publisher subscription may be required.
Open original ↗Delineating the wrath of a woman aggrieved
The New Indian Express
A feature on Shoorpanakha and a different perspective on a familiar character.
Open original ↗
↗Charming stage presence
The Hindu · Dance review
A critical response to my Bharatanatyam recital.
Open original ↗
↗A dancer peaks only around the age of 40
Deccan Herald · Interview
On training, engineering and the commitment of a life in dance.
Open original ↗
↗Bringing my work to the Soorya Festival
Deccan Chronicle · Profile
A profile of my creations, touring and workshops.
Open original ↗ ↗A recital at Soorya Parampara
The Times of India
Photographs and coverage of a Bharatanatyam performance in Kochi.
Open original ↗Finding my own voice in a dancing family
Mathrubhumi · Interview
A conversation about my training, family and creative ideas.
Open original ↗
↗Sharing Bharatanatyam with young audiences
Garhwal Post · Workshop report
A report from a school workshop in Dehradun.
Open original ↗Dazzling performance by Dakshina
Narthaki · Dance review
A review of my Music Academy Spirit of Youth recital.
Open original ↗Shoorpanakha: the humanity within the story
Kala Upasana · Shveta Arora
An independent performance diary exploring character and abhinaya.
Open original ↗Ruminations during lockdown
Narthaki · Pandemic Ponderings
Rama and I in a dialogue about dance, practice and time at home.
Open original ↗Erasing Borders Dance Festival
Indo-American Arts Council · 2025 archive
The presenter’s programme for Shaktya, with artist biographies and production credits.
Open original ↗A photographer’s view of the dance
Sreenivasan · Flickr
Explore a public performance album at the photographer’s own archive. Photographs remain at their source.
Open original ↗Teaching through Routes 2 Roots
Routes 2 Roots
My public teaching profile with the arts education organisation.
Open original ↗No moments match that search. Try another word or choose Everything.
Photographs carry their published credits. Films open in a player only when selected; Instagram excerpts open at their source. Articles and blogs remain with their publishers.
04 / Films & performances
Watch me
dance.
Performance, storytelling and conversations.
A little of my world, in motion.
Dance film · Kalanidhi Dance & IndianRaga
Why I Dance
A meeting of rhythm, expression and the joy of dancing.
Watch on YouTube ↗In performance · Original video on YouTube
Shoorpanakha
Explore character and storytelling through Bharatanatyam.
Watch on YouTube ↗On stage · 2016 · Original video on YouTube
Soorya Festival
A performance from the Soorya Festival archive.
Watch on YouTube ↗In conversation · Mathrubhumi
A talent to watch
Dance, family and the journey of finding my own voice.
Watch on YouTube ↗In conversation · Original video on YouTube
Straight from my heart
A conversation from the public video archive.
Watch on YouTube ↗Choreography · Dakshina Vaidyanathan
Nakshatra
A glimpse of my choreographic exploration of the zodiac.
Watch on YouTube ↗In conversation · Milap
20 Questions
A conversation about the person behind the performance.
Watch on YouTube ↗Teaching · Routes 2 Roots
In the classroom
A Bharatanatyam class from the Routes 2 Roots archive.
Watch on YouTube ↗Conversation & demonstration · SPIC MACAY
Sharing the language of dance
A shared session with T. Reddi Lakshmi, with demonstrations and audience questions.
Watch on YouTube ↗Performance preview · SrutiPhila
Shaktya — a glimpse
Rama and I share the stage in her exploration of feminine strength.
Watch on YouTube ↗In conversation · Sruti Youth Group
In conversation with my mother
Rama and I discuss choreography, musical choices and finding an individual voice.
Watch on YouTube ↗There’s more to explore.
Music Academy, Madras · 2025Performance clip ↗Times of India · KochiWatch the recital clip ↗From my InstagramExplore my reels ↗YouTube players load when you choose a film. You can also follow each video’s original link.
05 / What keeps me moving
Keep learning.
Keep sharing.
Keep creating.
A glimpse of my school workshops ↗Stay curious.
I want to keep asking questions—of the form, of my own practice, and of the world around me. There is always something more to discover.
Share the joy.
Teaching and workshops are another way I connect through dance. I want young audiences to experience the expression and imagination within Bharatanatyam.
Carry the tradition forward.
My roots give me a place to begin. I want to honour that training while making space for my own voice.
06 / What the world is saying
My dance,
through their eyes.
A few words from reviews and profiles.
Read each piece in its original publication.
Narthaki 13 August 2013
“flawless precise nritta”
A review of my Spirit of Youth recital at the Music Academy, Chennai.
Read the review ↗Mathrubhumi 14 May 2019
“graceful and creative choreographies”
A profile of my family, engineering education and the ideas that enter my dance.
Read the profile ↗Deccan Chronicle 3 November 2018
“powerhouse of energy”
A feature on my compositions, workshops and journeys with the Soorya Festival.
Read the feature ↗Let’s connect
Let’s make space
for dance.
For performances, workshops, collaborations—or simply a conversation about dance—connect with me on Instagram.
Find me on Instagram ↗Explore my roots at Ganesa Natyalaya ↗