Dr. Hiya Varma's Bharatanatyam Arangetram

Join us to celebrate the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Dr Hiya Varma, one of Upahaar's senior students from the Croydon branch!

October 6th 2024

2pm - 5pm

Cooper's School, Bromley

Free parking on site

All are Welcome

Please book 1 RSVP per person!

About Dr Hiya Varma:

Hiya Varma began Bharatanatyam training at Nrityangaharam Academy of Fine Arts, Mumbai under Guru Smt Anjana Dongre in 2005. After moving to London, she resumed her training under Acharya Smt Shalini Shivashankar in 2014 at Upahaar School of Dance.

Hiya has trained regularly in the Croydon branch in her early years, and after a short hiatus in dance due to her medical training in Manchester, she resumed training online following the COVID-19 pandemic. Determined to build her skills artistically and professionally, she trained in a hybrid format through solo and group classes. She then relocated back to Croydon, immersing in face to face classes as a qualified junior doctor and began her Arangetram training in October 2022.

Hiya has been a part of multiple branches’ celebrations at Upahaar’s 20th and 15th Anniversary student showcases, as well as performing in the online student showcase during the pandemic. Hiya has performed in solo and group presentations with Upahaar at a variety of locations around the UK, including London Hindu Aikyavedi, Stanley Arts, Lancing College, community venues such as Bishop Justus School in Orpington and Parish Lenten Church in Tolworth and the Skanda Vale Temple in Wales. She has also performed in India, including at Triveni Kala Sangam, Delhi.

Hiya is currently undertaking her second foundation year training as a junior Doctor at East Surrey hospital in Redhill. Despite the emotionally and mentally demanding aspect of her job, Hiya has a strong entrepreneurial passion, present when organising events within her Doctor’s mess, as well as honing her skills in various creative talents, including Bharatanatyam.