CREATIVE TEAM
Deepa P. Mani
CHOREOGRAPHER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, PERFORMER
Deepa P Mani is a Performing & Teaching Artist with over 30 years of experience in Bharathanatyam and Contemporary dance. As a performer, dance theatre producer, and owner of Chandralaya School of Dance, she advocates for the power of traditional dance to connect people with heritage, identity, and creativity. Born in Chennai, Deepa has danced across India, the United States, and Australia, building communities and promoting dance as a path to wellbeing.
In addition to her role as a teaching artist at The Song Room, Regional Arts Victoria, and the John F. Kennedy Center, Deepa has served on the Executive Board of the Creative Women’s Circle, Glen Eira’s Multicultural Art Committee, and advises Glen Eira’s Business and Economy team. A mentor with Inspiring Rare Birds, she is also the recipient of the 2024 APATA National Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Award and has won multiple honours for her work in diversity and inclusion.
Sheena Chundee
CHOREOGRAPHER, PRODUCER, PERFORMER
Sheena Chundee Choreographer, Producer, performer At the age of 11, sheena attended full-time training at The Royal Ballet School. This foundation led her to perform with notable companies such as The Royal Ballet, The English National Ballet, and the Netherlands Dance Theatre. Throughout Sheena’s career as a ballerina, she worked with esteemed alumni including Adam Cooper, Carlos Acosta, Christopher Wheeldon, Pina Bausch and Mavin Khoo.
Sheena relocated to Melbourne, Australia, in 2009 where she founded Rebel Stepz Arts, a multicultural arts organisation dedicated to providing educational and artistic initiatives across communities. Under her leadership, Rebel Stepz Arts has grown into a vibrant hub for creativity, offering a wide range of services including arts education, performances, event management, and team-building activities. Sheena’s vision for Rebel Stepz is rooted in the belief that the arts can serve as a powerful tool for promoting wellbeing, fostering creativity, and building connections among people from all walks of life.
Jasmine Lim
PERFORMER
Jasmine Lim performer Jasmine has worked and trained in Perth, Melbourne and Singapore. Jasmine began her training in Brunei Darussalam and performed with the company in 2017. Jasmine moved to Melbourne in 2019 continuing her training at the National Theatre Ballet School. She was awarded with the Most Outstanding Individual Performance award from the school. Jasmine is looking forward to contributing to the exploration and creation of thoughtful, inspiring dance art.
Nanthesh Sivarajah
PERCUSSION
Nanthesh Sivarajah is a multidisciplinary artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Nanthesh is passionate about combining his broad artistic skillset to produce unique works. He is a percussionist, trained in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and Western forms, and proficient in several instruments including the Mridangam, Kanjira, Ghatam, Morsing, Drumkit and several other percussion instruments. He has two decades of performance experience across Australia and abroad and has played with seasoned artistes at some of South India’s oldest and most prestigious venues.
DOUBLE BASS
Rohan has been a member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra double bass section, having previously worked on contracts as Assistant Principal in the same orchestra, as well as in the Frankfurter Opern-und-Museumsorchester. Rohan has also been engaged at many of Australia’s chamber music festivals and venues, often as the result of an association with leading classical accordionist James Crabb. In 2019 as part of the Orchestra of the Lucerne Festival Alumni. Rohan has also participated in numerous concerts and recordings as a member of ELISION, notably giving the Australian premiere of Liza Lim’s “Table of Knowledge” for solo double bass. In 2019, Rohan was awarded the Freedman Classical Fellowship, and since then has begun the lifelong work of bringing the South Indian side of his heritage into his music.
Bhairavi Raman
VIOLINIST
Bhairavi Raman is a skilled Indian-Australian violinist. Extensively trained in both Western Classical and Carnatic music, she blends concepts and techniques from both styles when she plays. Bhairavi has been performing for music and dance productions for over a decade, with over 400 performances to her name, including at prestigious venues like the Madras Music Academy and the Melbourne Recital Centre. Collaboration is at the heart of Bhairavi’s creative work-she has produced acclaimed projects in close partnership with local and international artists across disciplines including poetry, spoken word, movement, dance and theatre. She has also completed arts leadership programs with the Australian Art Orchestra and Footscray Community Arts Centre.
TOUCH
Where Ballet and Bharathanatyam Converge
TOUCH, a sold-out success at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival, champions diversity and unity through dance. This compelling production brings together Ballet and Bharathanatyam to explore themes of prejudice, racism, and isolation, sharing the personal journeys of two dancers. With powerful storytelling, TOUCH invites audiences into a world where empathy and understanding transcend cultural divides, challenging traditional norms and celebrating our shared humanity. A testament to the richness of multicultural expression, TOUCH fosters a space of inclusivity, connection, and mutual respect.
Sheena
and Deepa Mani -Creators of TOUCH.
Rebel Stepz Arts and Chandralaya Dance Presents
Rohan Dasika
Chundee
SOLOS
DUETS
Exploration
In the first duet, the dancer’s approach with cautious curiosity, their tentative movements mirroring each other. Through subtle gestures, they begin to unravel a connection, discovering common ground and hinting at a deeper harmony beyond their initial wariness.
Isolation weighs on her, her skin a silent barrier to acceptance. As a woman of colour in a world that defines ballerinas by appearance, she feels the sting of exclusion. She longs to shed the outer layer others see, to fit the image they expect, yearning to belong in the graceful world she loves but that holds her at a distance
Sadness
A Bharathanatyam dancer moves with precision and grace, celebrating ancient stories and emotions. Yet, amidst a Western audience, she feels a disconnect, her art seen as exotic rather than universally beautiful. She wonders why her deeply human expression is labelled “foreign” and kept on the periphery of mainstream culture.
The ballerina’s sorrow hardens into resolve. Fuelled by anger, her movements shift from delicate to defiant, commanding the stage with intensity. Refusing confinement by expectations, she breaks boundaries, her self-belief growing stronger. No longer just a dancer, she becomes a force, challenging others to see her as she was always meant to be.
A Bharathanatyam dancer arrives in a new country, hopeful for a place that embraces diverse art forms.
Disheartened by its absence in the mainstream, she resolves to carve a space for her dance, driven by frustration and passion.
Determined, she paves the way for Bharathanatyam to be celebrated, honouring her heritage and sharing its beauty with the world.
Fully embracing herself, the ballerina has shattered expectations, standing tall as a confident, joyful professional. With a unique style blending technique and flair, she owns the stage, defying old rules with every step. She’s not just breaking barriers—she’s redefining ballet, proving it belongs to anyone who dares to dream.
Confusion Anger Anger Embrace
Once frustrated by her art being labelled “foreign,” she embarks on a journey of acceptance and resilience. Navigating a world that misunderstands her ancient art, she finds glimmers of connection as her stories and rhythms touch audiences. Embracing challenges and triumphs, she creates a bridge between worlds, sharing her culture’s timeless grace and humanity.
TOUCH
Anger
In the second duet, the dancers channel their anger through sharp, powerful movements, reflecting shared frustrations. Confronting their struggles, they find unity and strength, becoming allies as their steps grow increasingly in sync.
Confusion
Fragility and shared confusion emerge in their union, interwoven with the power of their movements. As anger fades, a haze of uncertainty lingers. Hesitant yet curious, they mirror each other, exploring the meaning of this new connection.
Acceptance & Respect
In the final duet, the dancers fully embrace one another, their playful, light movements radiating joyous freedom. Having listened, learned, and shared, they weave a bond of hope and possibility. Shifting between unison and individuality, their bilingual dance celebrates partnership and the beauty of connection. The final moments embody unity, a powerful reminder of the strength and joy in embracing each other.
Embrace
Choreographers: Deepa
Performers:
Musicians: Rohan
and Sheena
Ashley Dyer
Developed with ACF (Australian Cultural Fund) support and proudly sponsored by BHUMI
Credits:
Mani
Chundee
Deepa Mani, Jasmine Lim
Dasika, Bhairavi Raman, Nanthesh Sivarajah Photography: Volare Photography, Raphael Recht Photography Mentorship and Dramaturgy: Priya Srinivasan, Stephanie Lake,