1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I was born and brought up in a nuclear family in Mumbai. I was always inclined to dance and acting, or performing, basically, lets put it that way, since childhood. I always loved being on stage and in front of the camera. I was a very good student academically as well.
I grew up aspiring to become a Dancer and an Actress. When I think of my childhood, it is adorned with beautiful memories of taking part in fancy dress competitions, doing role play, dancing on stage in my society, in school, in family functions.
I studied at Vibgyor High, where my talent was recognized and honed. I always had the support of my teachers and Principal. I started learning Kathak at the age of 11 yrs. Since then, learning has been a major part of my routine. When in school, I would attend school, Kathak classes and spend time with family and friends. I have been performing Kathak on stage since then. I graduated with a 93 per cent in my 10 th std and took up Arts in Mithibai College of Arts.
I started acting in TV shows for three years such as Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India etc, to name a few. College days again comprised of attending lectures in the morning and taking a train to Gurujis for Riyaaz. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and am currently pursuing my MA in Indology.
I am currently into Content Creation and Blogging as well on Social Media. I am studying Bharat and I wish to create awareness about its rich culture and heritage all over the world.
2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?
Dance was my hobby since childhood, today it is what I breathe in every second of my life. I was that student who was placed in the first row in school Annual Day performances. Since I was talented, my mother was very keen that I learnt at least one Indian Classical Dance form-her personal choice was Kathak.
Luckily, we had a teacher- Vidushi Ruchi Sharma Ji in the vicinity. I began attending her classes at the age of 11. Often, her Guruji Acharya PanditAnupam Rai Ji (who I am a Gandabandh Shaagirdaa of) would come to teach the senior students. I always enjoyed going for Kathak classes, in fact, I would attend all matches happening in different dance studios throughout the week. But, after I met Guruji, I started understanding the nuances of this Classical Dance form.
I was always very inquisitive, I asked many questions regarding every word, movement and expression. And I always got a logical, convincing answer. Soon, I started going to Guruji’s home as he thought that for a seeker like me, learning in a class set up where time is a foundation, is not sufficient. At his place, started learning according to Guru Shishya Parampara.
He would teach me and make me practice for long hours. Over there it was an, unlike a usual class. Just Guruji, me and sangeet. As and when he thought I was capable of performing on stage, I got the opportunity to perform in Music and Dance Festivals organized by his own cultural organization by the name of ‘Sangeetanjali’.
I travelled to different parts of India with my Guru Parivaar such as Delhi, Gujarat, Mathura, Prayagraj etc. I would present solo, duet, group performances or even be a part of prestigious Dance Ballets composed by Guruji. Since then, I am a growing name in the Indian Classical Dance fraternity.
I always wanted to pursue dancing as a career, but in 2017 when I was in the first year, I resolved to take it up and actively work towards promoting this art form, and educating more and more people about Bharat's rich heritage through my Guruji’s vision and approach about Kathak.
3. Who is your favourite dancer and why?
Well, honestly, I don’t have any favourite dancer. It is my nature and Guru’s teachings to observe every artiste, in fact every human being, and learn from him or her. Learn both- what to do and what not to do also. I admire the different qualities of every dancer and artiste I come across.
4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer?
Well, if I was asked this few years back, I would have said Stage and Camera. But today, I will add one more platform to this list i.e, Social Media. Before Social Media, one could take up Performing or Teaching or both as a career.
Participating in reality shows to grow as an individual performer, or affiliating to a renowned Dance institute or Choreographer for opportunities in stage productions or film and TV were some of the many opportunities for a performer.
Setting up your own classes from home or tying up with a studio to provide services as a Dance Teacher were some among the rest.
Today, all this can be done through Social Media. Connecting to the right people, giving shape to your own ideas through videos created at home, conducting online classes and workshops. Talking about the Indian Classical Music and Dance field, I think it is really important to have a Guru- a true Guru.
Who not only teaches you the art form but can guide you to the right contacts and give you the stage as well. I think in this field it is a cycle, getting in touch with senior established artistes, facilitates one’s journey upwards as a dancer. Having said that, one should be wary of exploitation and keep their senses open. They shouldn’t end up climbing a ladder leaning against a wrong wall.
5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?
Well, that depends on which dance style you are pursuing. FreeStyle or Bollywood may not require formal training, but all the other dance forms that I can think of following a certain discipline. Knowing how the dance form originated, what are its techniques, and that you are doing it correctly, comes only through formal training.
One trying to self-train may not always know the depths of the dance form or may even end up affecting their physical health. Talking about Kathak specifically, I don’t think one can learn it by themselves. If one claims to, I don’t think they will ever know the essence of the dance form.
And one needs a Guru to be trained and transformed. Someone who polishes you so that you can shine to your fullest. I think someone can gain popularity on the basis of talent, but for that to sustain one has to keep proving their capabilities time and again. For you to last till the end, not only in the dance field, but to be able to move correctly for more number of years, initial training needs to be technique-driven.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
‘Always remain responsible students of your subject’. Whether you become a Guru or a performing artist, always remember that you are first a student and then anything else. This approach will always keep you grounded.
Having hunger to learn should never die. One should learn from every small thing in life. Only when you will keep the eye open to learn and grasp, will you have unending things to describe through your language, whatever it may be,music, dance, instrument, art, sculpture anything.
Your focus should never be on anything other than the subject and the art form itself. Because if it was for fame or money that you learnt this art form in the first place, then you started out wrong.
Fame or money can come from many other ways, then why dance? Art comes with freedom of expressions but it comes with responsibility towards the art form as well, responsibility towards the society, country and nature as well. It's your language, never use it to abuse anything but to spread humanity. That’s all.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
I have no favourites. I think that must be clear from my previous answer. I enjoy reading Indian Literature such as Shri Ramcharitmanas, as well as Self Help books like 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Each of the books I have read has unfolded a secret to living life. And I better not chooseany one of them.
Interview by - Gurleen
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