Dances of India

Each October, the Analytics, Intelligence and Technology Division’s Alina Deshpande takes time out from developing tools to help detect global infectious disease in order to put on a “Dances of India” benefit performance in Los Alamos, and 2015 is no exception. Taking her initial inspiration from Walt Disney Pictures’ box office hit Toy Story, Deshpande has written, produced, directed and choreographed an East Indian fairy tale named Doll Story.

“My goal for the Dances of India benefit event is not only to raise money for worthy organizations but to showcase my students,” Deshpande says. “It’s also a fantastic outlet for my creative side and a great way to energize me and focus my thoughts when at work.”

“My goal for the Dances of India benefit event is not only to raise money for worthy organizations but to showcase my students,”

Deshpande studied “Kathak,” a classical North Indian dance form, for 11 years in her native India and participated in several performances. After moving to New Mexico, she began teaching Kathak at the Los Alamos Family YMCA in 2004 when her daughter, Ashvini, was six years old so that Ashvini could learn more about her Indian roots.

“Kathak is one of India’s many classical dances,” Deshpande explains. “The word ‘katha’ means ‘story’ in Sanskrit and ‘kathak’ means ‘storyteller.’ You can find influences of temple dances in today’s performances, though some of the technical aspects were introduced by the Persians when they invaded India in the 1500s.”

Click here to read more about Alina Deshpande.