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1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I am a Kathak and Lavani exponent from India and I have been in service of art since the last more these two decades. My journey started with learning pure classical Kathak, pursuing Odissi and Lavani, later collaborating with various disciplines of dance and music on stage.

I started training with Kathak guru Roshan Kumariji and Nandita puri in Kathak because of much-extended support from my family especially my mother who is a trained and professional classical vocalist.

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?

I started training when I was 4 years of age. I didn't make any decision because I was too small to do that. But my parents saw the spark in me and my fondness for movement and music and felt I could train in dancing.

3. Who is your favorite dancer and why?

Among the dancing divas of Indian cinema- Vayjayantimala and Helen for their sheer grace and beauty of movement.

In classical dancing, of course, my gurujis, Aditi Mangaldas, Vidha Lal, Jhelum Paranjpe who I trained in Odissi with to name a few. They exude great discipline and devotion towards their craft and it's greatly inspiring.

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer?

Choreography on stage and for the screen, teaching is a big one, reality shows are massive platforms, performing on stage, dance therapy.

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely based on talent?

Formal training in classical dance is essential. It's important to know the fundamentals of any style before we explore it. If one has the talent then that dancer will anyway excel in that art form. Some are born with the talent and can hone their skills further with training and some through imitation and practice.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

It's a tough journey and patience is the keyword. Dedicate to your goal and vision and stay focused but be realistic about what's happening around and what your true calling is.

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

Currently, I am reading Julian Jaynes', 'The origin of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind' which is a great book. It resonates with principles in following in training for dance but through the use of a more psychological perspective and using the mind and body relation.

Interviewed By - Nupur Jha