Dr. Dimple Kaur Malhotra
Dr. Dimple Kaur Malhotra in a white veil, in a classical Natya gesture

Her Story

Tanti Dhatri, nurturer of the thread.

The name she performs under is also the job description. A thread is not two things braided; it is one thing that only holds because it was twisted from both.

In her words

Two lineages, one body.

I earned a Master’s in Natya Theater and a Master’s in English before I earned a PhD in psychology. The order matters. By the time I learned to name the mind, I had already spent years learning to read the body, my own and the audience’s. Applied Natya Therapy was not a career pivot. It was the moment I stopped apologizing for knowing both.

When I moved to the United States, my address changed my nervous system. The work I do now, in the clinic, on the stage, and in the training room, is what I built to come home to myself. I offer it to anyone who needs the same.

Timeline

How the thread was made

  1. Early years

    Trained in classical Natya Theater

    Bharatanatyam, Vilasini Natyam, and Chhau. Master's in Natya Theater. Master's in English.

  2. 2011

    PhD in Psychology

    The clinical lineage begins in earnest.

  3. 2014

    Applied Natya Therapy™ is born

    Founded the Sumangali Institute in Delhi and began teaching the framework publicly.

  4. 2015

    Body of Emotions goes international

    The signature workshop, facilitated across continents since.

  5. 2023

    Survivor advocacy in California

    Leading parenting programs and support groups for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

  6. 2026

    SPLIT premieres at Hollywood Fringe

    Best Choreography Award. I AM THAT returns by popular demand.

  7. 2026–27

    California Arts Council Fellowship

    Established Artist Awardee, Orange County. Doctoral research on movement therapy and Complex PTSD continues.

Education, honors, and press

Education and training

PhD, Psychology
2011
PsyD, clinical specialization
Completed
MA, Natya Theater
MA, English
Master Trainer
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
With training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Registered Somatic Movement Educator
ISMETA
Classical dance
Bharatanatyam, Vilasini Natyam, and Chhau, 20+ years

Honors

  • 2026–27

    California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship

    Established Artist, Orange County, with Arts Orange County

  • 2026

    SPLIT: Between Two Nervous Systems

    Best Choreography, Hollywood Fringe

  • 2025

    I AM THAT, Shivoham

    First Place and People's Choice, Spectrum Dance Invitational

  • 2025–26

    LA Opera Connects: Noah's Flood

    Special recognition

  • India

    Kalpashree West Kensington Award

    WEAA India Award, for exemplary work in classical dance

  • India

    Classical dance titles

    Nitya Suvarna Shiromoni Samman, Nitya Kanaka Mani Samman, Nritya Ratna, Nritya Tharagai, Lasya Mohini, Sri Balaji Jyoti Samman

Press

See the gallery

Work with Dr. Dimple

Therapy, a performance, or training. Choose the door you need.

The ClinicThe StageThe Institute