Meet Deepali Lindblom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deepali Lindblom.

Hi Deepali, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in a small town in north India. I am a Gorkha, an indigenous Nepalese warrior clan that settled in the Northeast Indian Himalayan valley. In India, if you do not come from an Art background, you do not become an artist but even as a pre-teen, I realized my calling as a performing artist. Thus defying traditional jobs as teachers and doctors for girls of my generation, much to my family’s angst I enrolled to learn Street Theatre, relatively unknown at the time.

After graduating, I traveled all over India teaching it to the aboriginals, the marginalized, the trafficked, teachers, social worker, etc. Then I moved to Mumbai to study film-making and got my first job as an assistant director (one of the 2 women for 20 men) but it didn’t last long as I got tired of serving chai to all the male directors and editors, with no prospect in view.

By this time my submissions to a couple of Newspapers paid off and I became a freelance travel writer. My travels around the lesser-known Indian destinations made me more aware of the vast disparities that existed in my country. This led me to create a seven-day festival Bhoomi (The Earth) that invited 500 artists from the far-flung 7 northeastern states to Mumbai, the Indian commercial capital.

Meanwhile, I met a Swede on a bus, married him, and after the festival, moved to Gothenburg (Sweden), where I soon landed a job as a coordinator for refugee integration projects for the local government. Two years into her work, I started ​project Komma till Tals (Speak up!), a 3-year Performing Arts project for 200 refugee children and youth. The project continues, sustained by the community.

While a chance festival got me dancing and in 2009, my husband’s job brought me to Montreal (Canada), where my career as a professional dancer/choreographer took off. There, with the Tibetan community, I created the first Tibetan-Canadian dance theatre ​Lha G​yalo. Many festivals, TV/film, and numerous events later, I got a chance to embark upon professional theatre with ‘Poutine Masala’, its success followed by Satrangi and Wake Butterfly. I’ve also taught dance to 15,000+ participants and created ​Lose Control a Bollywood dance flashmob, to bring communities together and celebrate diversity.

8 years ago, as a new mother, I moved to Colorado with her family. Through theatre productions at Aurora fox and Vintage theatre, I discovered Aurora. Deeply moved by the social, cultural, and economic disparities I founded ROSHNI, to promote Diversity, Inclusivity, and Empathy through the arts. My vision was to recruit, mentor and engage more Artists of color like me. To offer BIPOC children/youth an opportunity to pursue artistic activities and to tell original and contemporary stories of cultural and social relevance.

In 2019, I spearheaded ‘Mountains Made for Us – From the Himalayas to the Rockies’, Colorado’s first professional intercultural theatre production that represented 14 ethnicities in its cast/crew. The production garnered several positive media and public reviews as well as a robust box-office collection over 2 long weekends, thus proving the need and appreciation for original stories, presented by artists of color.

My biggest achievement has been to initiate the New American Arts Festival. This 3-week-long festival presents Artworks by 200+ local artists, many of whom belong to under-represented communities. Thus coming a full circle; from Bhoomi to the NAAF. In each of the four countries, I lived, I pioneered a unique trend that continues. ROSHNI is the pinnacle and combines the best of my artistic and altruistic vision.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey to where I am today is of ‘Tapas’ (the Hindi word for strife) to Triumph. I often introduce my story in the following few lines. In India, I didn’t dance. In Sweden, I discovered I want to dance. In Canada, I danced and made many dances. In the US, I truly understood the power of Dance.

But let’s start with India, where in my time, girls had very few professional choices, 1. Housewife (80%), 2. Teacher (19%), 3. Doctor/finance (1%) And here I was, wanting to be a dancer and a storyteller, a profession unheard of and in all instances, forbidden. Thus, despite great resistance, I enrolled to first study Street theatre and then Film/TV. Then once I finished my education and got a job at a TV production company, for almost a year, my job was to only serve ‘chai’ and transport tapes to my male colleagues.

I did manage to do one story segment that turned out great but instead of landing more segments, I was even more creatively suppressed. Thus, I decided to quit. My producer told me that I was making a big mistake to which I replied, ‘Time will tell’. As it happened I did meet my producer two years later, when he was a guest at the festival ‘Bhoomi’, organized by me. My professional career in Sweden and Canada took off with many milestones but once I arrived in the US, I felt deep socio-cultural isolation.

After my very successful dance career in Canada, here I suddenly was a nobody and nobody wanted to dance with me. Even though (or perhaps because of) often teaching and performing for free. It felt like being back in India, where systemic suppression creates a divide between the mainstream and the marginalized. Also in 2015, the socio-political mood of the US was undergoing an upheaval, with the sense of being unwelcomed as an immigrant.

Even after starting Roshni and knowing the power of dance, I felt powerless to include all. Though we are doing just as much as any established Art organization, I’ve time and again felt the lack of support and resources, and opportunities. Most of all the understanding and acceptance of BIPOC artists and the lack of racial equity. Things are changing but still, it’s a long way to go before Multicultural Art can become mainstream.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional performing artist (Dance/theatre), playwright, director, and producer that combines the best of dance and drama in a unique performing art of storytelling. Proficient in many Indian folk dances, Street theater, and puppetry, I combine these art forms with ‘Kathak’, an Indian classical dance, that I continue to train in.

I am extremely grateful to be able to do what I love. To weave original and relevant stories of our trials but also of our triumphs. Of what is noble and beautiful and our profound human spirit and resilience. Today, I offer personalized Dance shows for schools, and public and community organizations. I am also a flashmob queen having created several long-running flashmobs in Montreal (Canada) and here in Colorado.

I believe that Art is a gift that comes with a responsibility and so today besides my professional shows, through Roshni, I use the medium of Dance, theatre, and Storytelling, as a creative outlet for our underserved youth and adults. In the last 6 years, I’ve seen how opportunities for self-expression can help them find a sense of belonging by putting their energy into something fun and creative.

Our vision is to promote Inclusion and Empathy and to use the power of storytelling to Heal, Uplift, and Inspire. We run several weekly programs and organize events including Colorado’s longest Diversity-focus festival ‘The New American Arts Festival’ which involves 200+ artists over 3 weeks. Through our original artworks, we pursue a deeper understanding and pride in our diverse cultural heritage.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting.
I believe that as humans we are forever learning and that’s how it should be. I remember that as a teenager I couldn’t wait to grow up and find the freedom to do what I want, only to realize that, that freedom comes with a ‘big’ price and as we grow older, our priorities change. Through living a life in 4 countries, I’ve realized that we are where we are meant to be and our purpose is the evolution of our consciousness.

Even the passing of my mother in 2021 for whom I still grieve deeply, has made me understand things I didn’t before. The cycle of life and death, loving and grieving, fear and desire, to hang on and to let go, to be mindful. Thus, I wouldn’t change a thing and I’m equally grateful for all the trials and triumphs.

My advice that stems from my own experiences is this; If you truly believe in your intention then you will sail through even when the ride is tough. Start small and only plan for what, you ‘alone’ can do. Add on others when your efforts start to yield results. Reflect daily and commit yourself to your purpose which will keep you grounded. Finally, try and find a fellowship of people with similar interest/work. It helps in your personal growth, inspiration, and positive mental health.

Pricing:

• Chance on Dance = $250-$350
• Dance of Empathy = $600
• The Monkey Mind = $750
• Murder-mystery = $1000

Contact Info:

• Website: Deepali.ca, Roshniislight.org
• Instagram: @Deepalidancer, @Roshni_islight
• Facebook: @Deepali – Dancer Actor Choreographer, @Roshnilightingtheway
• Youtube: @Deepali Lindblom, @Roshni – Step into the Light

Image Credits
Jen Zachanowich