Dayvishanie Naipaul returns as professionally trained Bharatanatyam dancer

At just 25 years old, Reliance, Essequibo Coast’s very own Dayvishanie Naipaul has etched her name into Guyana’s cultural history. She is the first professionally trained Guyanese Bharatanatyam dancer, returning home after three years of intense study in India — the birthplace of this ancient and deeply spiritual art form.

Her love affair with dance began when she was just five years old, long before she knew it would take her across the world.

“I was always passionate about dancing,” she recalled.

“In 2020, I met with the Indian High Commissioner, who told me about the scholarship offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). I followed up, applied, and was accepted to study Bharatanatyam dance.”

Bharatanatyam — one of the oldest and most iconic classical dance forms of India — is more than movement; it is storytelling, devotion, and discipline intertwined. Originating in the temples of Tamil Nadu, South India, the name itself tells the story:

• Bha – Bhava (expression)
• Ra – Raga (melody)
• Ta – Tala (rhythm)
• Natyam – Dance in Sanskrit

For Dayvishanie, this meant mastering an art form that blends expression, melody, and rhythm into a seamless narrative.

She was accepted into the prestigious ShriRam Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Mandi House, New Delhi, where she trained under the guidance of Guru Suhail Bhan. Her classes were held three times a week in the evenings, each lasting three hours — sessions filled with precise footwork, graceful movements, and expressive facial storytelling.

“My body had to get used to the postures, which required a lot of stamina,” she said. “At first, it was very harsh on my knees because I had to work on core strength and proper posture.”

Her journey was not without setbacks.

In August last year, while returning from a performance, Dayvishanie fractured her foot — an injury that made continuing her rigorous training extremely challenging.

“It was one of the most difficult times for me,” she shared. “Dance is my passion, and suddenly I couldn’t move the way I was used to. But it taught me patience and made me even more determined to heal and return stronger.”

Her training didn’t stop there. Dayvishanie also studied yoga, completing both a certification and diploma at Shri Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan University, as well as semi-classical vocals, Chhau dance, and ballet drama — each adding another layer to her artistic repertoire.

The most memorable part of her journey, she says, wasn’t a single event but the experience of being immersed in India itself. “Being in India taught me resilience,” she reflected. “I grew so much through my journey there.”

Dayvishanie’s journey began long before her scholarship. In 2017, she founded the Dayvishanie Dance Academy in Guyana, creating a platform for local dancers to explore Indian classical and fusion styles. Now that she’s back home, her vision is bigger than ever. She plans to expand her academy, introduce structured Bharatanatyam classes, and share the discipline, grace, and spiritual depth of the art with the next generation of Guyanese dancers.

“I want to give students here the same opportunity I had,” she said. “Bharatanatyam is not just dance — it’s a way of life. It teaches discipline, patience, and storytelling through movement. I believe Guyana is ready for it.”

Her return marks a significant cultural milestone — one that blends the traditions of India with the vibrant diversity of Guyana’s own heritage. As she begins this new chapter, her story serves as an inspiration for young artists who dare to dream beyond borders.