Nandini Pillai Interview
Q. Your bio says “create karne ki chul hai”-what does that constant urge to create mean to you, and how has it shaped your journey as an artist?
The urge to create is something I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Even before I could clearly express what I wanted to do in life, I always knew that I just wanted to create something.
For me, creation isn’t limited to dance-it can be visuals, theatre, acting, or even building a business. I don’t want to confine my artistry to one form. I want to constantly explore, experiment, and push my own boundaries while creating something that truly satisfies that inner creative itch.
One thing I’ve realized is that many people limit themselves by having a fixed mindset about what they can or cannot do. When you embrace the broader idea of “creating,” you automatically remove those boundaries. You allow yourself to experiment, fail, learn, and evolve. This mindset has played a huge role in shaping my journey and helping me grow as an artist.
Q. How do you balance consistency with creativity, especially when creating content for social media regularly?
I used to believe in finding a perfect balance between creative satisfaction and commercial viability. But over time, I’ve realized that balance, in the traditional sense, is actually a myth.
There will be phases where your work leans more towards creativity and others where it becomes more commercially driven. It’s not always going to be a perfect 1:1 ratio-and that’s okay. What matters is understanding when to shift and recalibrate. I’ve become comfortable with the idea that balance doesn’t mean equal distribution-it means knowing when to center yourself again.
Q. In moments of self-doubt, how do you stay confident pursuing dance as a career? Also, who inspires you the most on this journey?
To be honest, I think this is still a premature question for me. It’s only been four months since I started pursuing this full-time. Before that, I was juggling an office job, dance, and brand shoots simultaneously.So, I wouldn’t say I feel completely confident yet—I’m still figuring things out and finding my footing.
In terms of inspiration, there are two major influences. First, my journey with Thangad Garba has been incredibly inspiring. They’ve built a beautiful ecosystem where dance is not just an art form but also a thriving community and business. It showed me that dance can go beyond individual performance-it can create impact at a larger scale. Secondly, Noyal sir has been a huge influence. I’ve known him for about three years, and the way he tells stories through movement is something I deeply admire. He has taught me a lot-both directly and indirectly-about surviving and growing in this space.
Q. Has dance ever been your way of processing emotions or healing during difficult phases? How does it help you express what words sometimes can’t?
I truly believe dance is a universal language. When words fall short, movement can express emotions in a way nothing else can. While I haven’t faced extreme struggles in life, like many others, I’ve experienced emotional phases-whether it’s confusion, happiness, or difficult moments like a breakup. In such times, dance has definitely helped me process and express those feelings.
However, I also strongly believe that dance should not replace therapy. It can support emotional expression, but it shouldn’t be the only outlet for healing.
Q. What does a typical day look like for you when you're working on a dance project or shoot and when you have a free schedule, what would Nandini’s day look like?
My routine varies a lot, but most days start early. I try to fit in a quick workout, plan my day, and handle a few personal errands. A significant part of my day goes into structuring classes, planning content, and currently, building a team. Evenings are usually reserved for classes during weekdays. On weekends, I’m almost always in the studio, often traveling between cities for sessions or workshops.
On “free days,” I don’t exactly rest-I plan. I maintain a list of things I want to do, like redecorating my space, creating small gifts for loved ones, or working on new content ideas like YouTube videos and reels. I spend these days preparing and organizing, so technically, they’re not entirely free-but I enjoy this structured approach.
Q. You've built a strong identity around “dance + drama + discipline”- how can someone develop their own unique style in such a competitive space?
The first shift people need to make is replacing the word competitive with collaborative. That change in mindset transforms your energy and makes you more approachable.
It may seem like there are limited opportunities, but that’s not entirely true. Anyone with a strong identity, valuable skills, and the ability to present themselves well can succeed. To build your own style, it’s important to identify your niche while staying true to your values. Your uniqueness lies in how you combine your strengths, experiences, and perspective into your work.
Q. What does your go-to warm-up or pre-dance routine look like before you start creating or performing? Any rituals you always follow?
I don’t have a fixed warm-up routine tied to a specific song. However, I do prepare mentally by immersing myself in the kind of music I’ll be working on. For example, if I’m choreographing a devotional or folk piece, I’ll listen to similar music a day or two in advance to get into that mindset. Similarly, for other genres, I align myself with the mood of the music beforehand.
As for rituals, I don’t follow anything elaborate. I simply take a moment to pray, express gratitude, and acknowledge the space-like touching the ground before starting practice. That grounding moment is important to me.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their journey in dance and creative content creation but feels unsure or hesitant to put themselves out there?
One of the most important things is to let go of the fear of judgment. Most of the time, the only person judging you is yourself. In reality, especially in the dance community, people are supportive and encouraging. But you need to show up for yourself consistently. Even if you feel your work isn’t perfect, keep putting it out there.
Consistency and discipline will take you much further than just skill alone. There are many incredibly talented dancers who never get opportunities simply because they don’t put themselves out there. If you want to grow, you have to be visible. Keep showing up, keep creating, and trust the process.
Bio:
Nandini Pillai is a dynamic and evolving artist who views creation as a boundless expression beyond just dance. Blending movement with storytelling, visuals, and emotion, she constantly pushes herself to explore new forms and break creative boundaries. Her journey reflects a mindset rooted in experimentation, discipline, and self-discovery rather than perfection. As she steps into building her career full-time, Nandini embraces both the artistic and entrepreneurial sides of her craft, inspiring others to create freely, stay consistent, and carve their own unique identity.
Interviewed by: Gunjan Joshi
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