Divya Rajan
Name some artists that have influenced you: My thatha & thathi, my mom, nature, Abraham Burickson, Priya Parker, Kari Margolis, Allan Kaprow, and the many artists and practitioners of traditional everyday art-forms whose names I do not know.
Share an artistic accomplishment you are proud of: I have designed an embodied ritual to enter and exit the world of stories, with kids in mind. It fascinates me every time I witness kids embrace the awe and magic in this ritual; and how it powerfully facilitates their creative imagination.
Why do you teach art? I started to call myself an artist only recently; when in fact, I had been practicing arts all along. These were gifts that were passed on to me by family, friends, mentors as way of life. The best way to honor both the giver and the gift is by passing it along, so that it continues to live and evolve.
I call myself a creative warrior. An inter- and multi-disciplinary performance artist, my work is strongly driven by intuition and inspired by storytelling, rituals, healing & spirituality.
I was led into the world of mythology & folklore by my grandfather when I was still coo-ing in my cradle, and I got acquainted with rituals while still in my mother's womb.
I delved academically deeper into the semiotics of rituals and performance art in graduate school. I have an MFA in Theatre Arts. The concept of Epiphany Sutra began to take shape during this time.
I have lived and practiced art in Mumbai, Chennai, Manila, and Baltimore before I called Seattle home. I work with schools & communities as a teaching artist, and with theatre companies as a performer, director, & dramaturg.