Dancing Deepa
Suchi Sairam
Kala Vandanam Press (2022)
ISBN: 979-8986052502
Reviewed by Elizabeth Upshur for Reader Views (2025)
Suchi Sairam’s Dancing Deepa dances into your heart and soul! Sairam’s book is a wonderful exploration of how the differences between us make our world more vibrant, interesting, and meaningful. Sharing what makes us different makes us feel more connected to one another!
Dancing Deepa is about a young Indian girl named Deepa. Deepa is excited about her school’s upcoming talent show, but she quickly notices that the options displayed on the audition poster are things like martial arts or ballet, tap dancing, music, etc. But nothing like the dance that she knows and loves, which is called Bharatanatyam. While she wants to share her love of dance, she worries that her classmates at school will not like it, or maybe even think that it is weird. Deepa’s worries make her feel small, and she decides not to even audition. Deepa is a good friend, and she cheers on her classmates as they practice for the big talent show and applauds all of them as they show off their many interesting and varied talents.
Seeing how well these different skills are received makes Deepa feel like maybe she should have given her classmates a chance to witness her dance, and with her teacher’s help, she prepares a special presentation to do just that. Readers go on this incredible emotional journey of nerves, fears, and finally digging deep to do something that may be a little scary, like give a presentation on something they love.
This story is presented with some lovely illustrations, and there is a great use of colors to help make the text and story more dramatic as we read through it. The language is elevated and propels the reader to expand their vocabulary, while the message of cultural sharing shines through as Deepa brings this special dance to her community.
Suchi Sairam’s Dancing Deepa is a great read for children who want to expand their cultural horizons and understand different people. It is also a great read for dancers, as they get to see a particular dance style represented, see the preparation and payoff of practicing, and putting on a show.