Instagram story viewer> @kavya.ir> Posts

Kavya | काव्या

@kavya.ir

15.8K

followers

1282

following

Dancer | Choreographer | Yogi 💫
Producer @akademidance
📍 London 🇬🇧 | Kolkata 🇮🇳

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Kolkata is not just where I’m from; it’s where my heart permanently lives. My family, my roots, my childhood all wrapped up in one city that somehow never ceases to amaze me!

Rabindra Sarobar lakes at golden hour, dancing to Monta Re… honestly, where else would my heart fly to? 🫶🏽🤭

This was the song I choreographed for my first ever London dance workshop last Feb. So what a full circle moment from one home to another 🥹 Filmed this when I was in Kolkata last December.

🎥: @diptenhore such a 🌟!
🎵: Monta Re @itsamittrivedi @swanandkirkire
🧠 and 💃🏼: @kavya.ir

#dancerlife #kolkata #home taken in Kolkata - The City of Joy by @kavya.ir

3k

118

6 months ago

A letter to அம்மா 🌸

Little did I know that dance would be such a big part of my life. Growing up, do you remember how much I would fuss to come to class? Thank you for never giving up on me 🥹

In a dance world which can often be siloed, patriarchal, rigid, and judgmental, thank you for always letting me be curious, to explore, to learn from other teachers and styles. For always nurturing me to find my voice. And for patiently bearing my questions about “Why should a nayika always pine for her lover?!” 😅

Thank you for showing me what humility means. For always teaching me that I don’t need to tell people that I am so-and-so’s daughter but rather letting my dance speak for itself.

Even despite being miles away, thanks for being just a phone call away to calculate that trikala jathi 🥹

For all this and more, I love you! 🫶🏽 Here’s manifesting more things together sooooon.

🎥: @natyamsoul thanks for filming 💫

#dancerlife #bharatanatyam #motherdaughter #kalakshetra taken in Kolkata by @kavya.ir

5k

152

9 months ago

🇬🇧 🇮🇳 Going back to something I love after almost 20 years: a 1h solo Bharatanatyam margam performance 🥹

With 7 other amazing dancers, and a festival full of joy, sharing and learning! If you are a dancer/culture lover/ arts enthusiast or just generally curious, make sure you are at the first ever London Margazhi festival by @ldnadavu spearheaded by @ami_jay 💛♥️💛

📆: 21 - 22 March 2026
📌: City Academi, Hackney

People without whom this wouldn’t be possible:
@ami_jay 🌟 the most amazing mentor but also the powerhouse leading this initiative

@sujatha_ramalingam_official 🧞 my forever guiding star, Guru, mother and the person who makes it all possible

@pooja_naarayan @prathapramachandra.r 🎶 can’t wait to create magic with your music on stage!

@mavin_khoo anna @vidhyasubramanian_art akka for seeing the potential in us 🌻

The entire team working tirelessly behind the festival 💫

@east.london.dance 🙏🏽 for your generous space support offer
.
.
.
#bharatanatyam #london #margazhi #dancerlife taken in London, United Kingdom by @kavya.ir

1k

59

8 months ago

No iPhones were damaged in the making of this video. Or were they 😭?

Just a little BNat jathi jam with cutie @preetipm_ 🤎🩷🤎

🧠 and 💃🏼: @preetipm_ @kavya.ir

#bharatanatyam #dancerlife #dancer #explore taken in Wembley Stadium by @kavya.ir

1k

31

23 days ago

Some films stay with you because they become part of your memories ❤️ For me, the iconic Pakeezah, starring the unforgettable Meena Kumari, is one such film - forever linked to flashbacks of my father playing its extraordinary soundtrack on vinyl as I was growing up.

This October, this timeless classic will be shown on the big screen in London in a newly restored 4k format at the London Film Festival (LFF @londonfilmfestival).

The music, poetry, beauty and emotion of the opulent, classic and emotionally tragic Pakeezah still feels as powerful today as it did decades ago.

And to celebrate, here’s a soulful performance by the wonderful classical dancer Kavya Iyer (@kavya.ir) to one of the film’s most iconic songs, Chalte Chalte.

📆: Sunday, 18 Oct
⏰: 10:45AM
📌: BFI Imax, London (@britishfilminstitute)

🔔 Tickets go on sale at 10AM on Thursday 17 September. Tickets for this one off screening will go fast, so book asap.

#pakeezah #alivelondon #filmscreening #bfi #southasianart taken in London, United Kingdom by @kavya.ir

227

25

a month ago

When Bnat dancers get together for Onam…

@kavya.ir @snehasaboodana @devakirajendran

#onam2026 #dance #kuthudance taken in London, United Kingdom by @kavya.ir

760

38

a month ago

I recently took care of my little nephew for a day (when his parents were away) and it reminded me of all the joys, struggles and complex feelings I have about having/raising a child in the world we live in today 🥺

This one is a small excerpt from an exploration that seeks to show all the different shades and sides of motherhood!🪁

Forever side quest: how to tell stories that are relevant to the world we live in today through the art form of Bharatanatyam that I’ve grown up loving and learning and now, questioning 🤍

🎤Accompanied on vocals by new-mom and forever-dancer friend and mentor @ami_jay 🫶🏽

🧠 Choreographed by my mother and guru @sujatha_ramalingam_official and me with creative inputs from @ami_jay 🌸

🪈: @vijayvenkatmusic
🪘: @prathapramachandra.r
🗣️ 🎵: @pooja_naarayan
🎥: @meghnalnr
✍️: Mayilo from Life of Pi

In rehearsals for the first ever London Margazhi by @ldnadavu 🤎

#dancerlife #bharatanatyam #explore #lullaby #abhinaya taken in Chisenhale Dance by @kavya.ir

653

26

2 months ago

I still remember the first time I met @suhani8 🌸 She came with an extra box of dal chaawal for me knowing that we had a long journey up north to Newcastle. Mind you, she didn’t even know me then!

This dear Su, is now a mother of two beautiful girls. In the mad rush of London life, making time for people you love is always a juggling act. Sometimes, people just need to be reminded that they are loved and missed, no matter what phase of life they are in 🧞‍♀️

We randomly met one evening, and in typical Su-&-Kavya style, decided to dance in the middle of @coaldropsyard. I think my highlight of the evening was just knowing that life can hold space for all our different selves: mother, friend, dancer and most importantly, just two people who want to forget the world and have fun 😬🤍

So if you are missing your friend-who-has-become-a-mom, go tell her you love her. Maybe even go dance with her? 🥹

#dancerlife #dancer #motherhood #friendship taken in London, United Kingdom by @kavya.ir

558

32

2 months ago

We’re delighted to announce that Kavya Iyer, Devaki Rajendran and Sneha Semaleesan have been awarded the second Kala Sangam Commission!

Inspired by their love of computer games, the trio will explore what happens when Bharatanatyam meets the structure of a video game, exploring themes of choice, control and resilience.

The project begins this summer, with a premiere at Bradford Arts Centre planned for 2027.

To read more about the commission and the artists, check out our website: Link in bio

Photo by @talha325

-
.
.
#bradfordartscentre #kalasangamcommission #bharatanatyam #artistcommission #bradford by @kavya.ir

3

104

2 months ago

IT IS HAPPENING (AGAIN)! 📢
Calling all 🇬🇧 dance and movement-lovers for a day of fun in the sun! ☀️

We are back with the next edition of our dance improv session but with a bit of a twist this time ✨

The lovely Aishani ( @_aishanighosh ) from Mauleti ( @mauleti.co ) and us ( @devakirajendran ⁩, @kavya.ir ⁩ and I) will be joining forces to bring to you 3 hours filled with curiosity, some head scratches, and a lot dancing!💃🏻 While the three of us will guide you through mindfully moving your bodies and playing games through improv, @_aishanighosh will help us reflect on the very things that make us move 💞

If this sounds like a bit out of the ordinary, we have also opened up some observer spots. Whether you want to dive in or simply observe the process, you’re welcome 👀
DM any of us if you have any thoughts or questions! 💬

Open to: dancers/movers from any movement background

🎟️ Registration link in all our bios ^

✏️ Poster design: @snehasaboodana taken in Regent's Park, London by @kavya.ir

108

6

2 months ago

- women at leisure -

this rumaal’s attempt at bringing us joy and (some) guilt-free fun 🫶🏻 leta jaijo re!

visuals:
📝 concept: @snehasaboodana
💃 choreography & dance collaborators (in order of appearance): @devakirajendran , @snehasaboodana , @kavya.ir , and @rajeswari_r99
🎥 videography: @_vishwaprasannart_
✂️editing: @snehasaboodana and @_vishwaprasannart_
📍location: @quintainliving

music credits and all music rights reserved by:
🎤 sung by: @shashwatology , @sunidhichauhan5 , and Chotu Khan (Jaipur kawa brass band and Kausar Munir)
🎵produced by: @cokestudiobharat

inspired by a beautiful article written by @women_at_leisure and conversations with my dear friend - Stu 🫶🏼

#fyp #dancereels #bharatanatyam #leisure #womanhood by @kavya.ir

456

52

2 months ago

Just reliving some 90s Bollywood in 2026 London! 💙🤍🩷

Thank you to everyone who came and shared their energy with us in our first ever collab workshop. We are so grateful 🥹

💃🏼 and 🧠: @trishaghosh @kavya.ir
📍: @theplacelondon
🎵: a forgotten gem by @asha.bhosle ❤️‍🩹

📸: thanks @neethu.h for capturing our sweaty hug in the end 😂

#dancerlife #dancer #bollywood #desi #rangde taken in London, United Kingdom by @kavya.ir

609

77

2 months ago