Eshika Sharma Interview
"Dance is more than an art form to me it's a powerful way to tell stories, inspire hearts, and leave every stage more meaningful than I found it."
Q. For those discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself and your journey as a dancer, choreographer, and performer?
I am Eshika Sharma, a Kathak dancer, choreographer, performer, and teacher. My journey with dance began as a young girl who simply loved moving to music, but over time it transformed into a lifelong commitment to the art. Dance has shaped who I am not only as an artist but as a person. The Big credit goes to my teacher, my mentor, my inspiration ,my look up to person Kumar Sharma (my guru). His Teachings and guidance and his right choice made me choose Dance as an Art form and Through years of training, performances, and learning from my him, I have come to understand that dance is much more than movement; it is devotion, discipline, and storytelling. Today, my purpose is to share the beauty of Kathak with the world while inspiring others to discover the transformative power of art.
Q. What first drew you to dance, and when did you realize it was more than just a hobby?
What first drew me to dance was the joy it brought me. Even as a child, I felt an unexplainable connection to rhythm and expression which my mother noticed and made me join a Dance class at the age of 11 through which I met my teacher, Kumar Sharma. Over time, dance became my safe space the place where I could express emotions, dreams, and thoughts without speaking a single word. I realized it was more than a hobby when I found myself choosing practice over comfort, discipline over convenience, and growth over instant gratification. That’s when I understood that dance wasn’t just something I loved; it was something I was meant to pursue wholeheartedly. Nobody can ever understand how much I enjoy being on stage with my Art from in front of number of People. Stage gives me Joy.
Q. As both a dancer and a choreographer, how do you balance technical precision with creative expression?
I believe technique and creativity are two sides of the same coin. Technique provides structure, while creativity brings life to that structure. Kathak has a rich grammar that deserves respect, and I always strive to honour that foundation. At the same time, I allow myself the freedom to explore emotions, stories, and new perspectives through choreography. For me, true artistry lies in making technical excellence feel effortless while allowing genuine emotions to shine through.
Q. Where do you usually find inspiration when creating a new choreography, and how do you transform an idea into movement?
Inspiration is everywhere. But mine begins from My Guru Only. Kumar Sharma, my teacher is a great dancer, performer and a great teacher on the first place. So, I learnt not only dance techniques from him but values of life, career choices, how to be creative in every aspect etc. I spend time understanding what I want the audience to feel. Once that emotional core is clear, the movements begin to emerge naturally. Every choreography becomes a journey of translating feelings into rhythm, expression, and movement.
Q. Dance often communicates emotions without words. What has performing taught you about storytelling and human connection?
Performing has taught me that the most powerful stories are often the ones spoken through the heart rather than words. When you perform with honesty and vulnerability, audiences connect with you regardless of language, culture, or background. I’ve learned that dance has the ability to unite people through shared emotions. Adding on to that, I met my partner through Dance only. He’s a musician and I am a Dancer. We both connects not through words or exchange of speech but through our ways of expressing our emotions through our Art form.
I loved his percussion performance and I fell in love with him. He loved me doing some sort of expressing on ‘Krishna topic’.
It reminds us that at our core, we all experience love, joy, hope, struggle, and resilience. That human connection is what makes performing so meaningful.
Q. Every artist faces challenges. What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from a setback in your career?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks are not the end of the journey they are part of it. There have been moments of disappointment and self-doubt, but those experiences taught me resilience and patience. They reminded me that growth often happens in the unseen hours of hard work and perseverance and specially if you’re a Classical Dancer. Because before, Classical dancers have to face a lot of hurdles, restrictions, judgements. Not even Classical dancer, in general A lot of people notice and wanted to keep only good looking, Tall and fair girls for performances. I do face that in my childhood when my dancing journey had just begun by one of my school teachers. But luckily, I have Come This Far from that kind of People.
Now that time has changed and everyone is accepting and ready to explore more of Classical world, things have been better now. This sort of challenge has made me stronger, wiser, and more appreciative of every opportunity that comes my way.
Q. How do you continue evolving your craft while staying true to your unique style?
I believe growth comes from remaining a student forever. I constantly seek new experiences, ideas, and inspirations, but I stay grounded in the values and training that shaped me and credit completely goes to my Kumar sir because it’s hard to get a Guru like him who always motivates his students to do more creative and become inspiring for others sticking to the ground only. My roots in Kathak give me a strong foundation, while my curiosity encourages me to explore new dimensions of creativity. Evolution, for me, is not about changing who I am; it’s about deepening my understanding of my art while staying authentic to my voice.
Q. With dance trends constantly changing, how do you decide which influences to embrace and which to leave behind?
I see trends as opportunities to learn and observe, but I don’t follow them blindly. I embrace influences that add value to my artistic journey and align with my vision as a performer and choreographer. While trends may come and go, authenticity and substance remain timeless. My focus is always on creating work that has meaning, depth, and longevity and which can justify my teachings.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring dancers and performers who want to build a sustainable career in the industry?
My advice would be to fall in love with the process, not just the outcome. Success in the arts requires patience, consistency, and dedication. Focus on strengthening your foundation, respect your teachers, and never stop learning. There will be challenges, but don’t let them discourage you. Believe in your journey, stay disciplined, and remember that true success is not just about recognition it’s about continuously growing as an artist and inspiring others through your work.
You have to become more giving in this Art world and expectations becomes less here.
Q. On a lighter note, if you could instantly master any dance style you’ve never formally trained in, which one would you choose and why?
Well, after being disciple of Kumar Sharma; I still feel I have not learned Kathak fully yet. There is much more still to go.
But yeah, on the other side I would love to master Contemporary or aerial. It has a powerful combination of rhythm, grace, strength. As a Kathak dancer, I find contemporary and aerial both expressive intensity fascinating. Exploring them would not only be artistically enriching but also a beautiful reminder of how different cultures can connect through the universal language of dance.
Bio:
Eshika is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and performer who brings creativity, emotion, and precision to every stage she steps on. With a distinctive artistic vision and a deep love for movement, she transforms stories into captivating performances that connect with audiences of all ages. Through her choreography, she blends technique with innovation, inspiring aspiring dancers while continually pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Dedicated to celebrating the beauty of dance, Eshika's journey reflects discipline, versatility, and a commitment to creating memorable experiences through performance.
Interviewed By: Vanshika Gupta
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