THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even when Leeja is dancing, her mind creates images of Ravi Varma’s pictures. She dances and draws, in a synchronized fashion. Leeja Dinoop is an expert at ‘Varanadanam’. The 27-year-old dances and draws a picture on the canvas in accordance with the theme. The world is celebrating world dance day. There is also another specialty for this day- the 171st birth anniversary of the legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma.

Leeja has already staged her ‘Varanadanam’ across the state. Daughter of T.V. Lakshmanan and K.V. Bindu, Leeja learned to dance and draw at a very young age. She secured the second rank In M.A. Bharatanatyam from Kannur University. Leeja then passed Bachelor of Fine Arts from Thiruvananthapuram with distinction. Meanwhile, thoughts about ‘Varanadanam’ reaped in her mind. Nature was the first topic. Then devotion and poetry were the themes. Artistry is through the medium of oil painting and charcoal. Leeja is also well versed in mural, pencil drawing, and chenda.

Leeja also has a dance-drawing institute at Payyannur Kandoth. Her husband Dinoop is full of encouragement. The couple has a one-month-old baby.