Shovana Narayan, is a famous Kathak Dancer, Padam Shri Awardee. She performs extensively in India and around the world.
WS: Tell us a little about you and your family?
SN: I was extremely lucky to have been born into a family that, despite being traditional, was very forward-looking and gave me the fullest support to be who I am. After all, my parents introduced me to the world of dance, music, Indian philosophy and literature, even though they never came from a family of artists. However, in our family, particularly my mother’s family (for her forefathers were very being great freedom fighters as well as progressive in outlook), cultural education in all its aspects along with scholastic education were greatly encouraged in the family.
Right from childhood, I have been straddling two paths, one of dance and the other of academics. I often laugh and say that even though not hailing from a traditional artiste’s family, yet my foray into the world of dance preceded formal schooling (academics). I entered the civil service (IAAS) in 1976 and worked till my retirement. Throughout this period, Kathak dance continued unabated. Even today, post-retirement, this passion continues unabated.
WS: What inspired you to pursue Dance?
I am a classical Kathak dancer. I entered the world of dance at the tender age of two and a half (even before I went to formal school education i.e nursery).
I was born into a family where music, dance, literature, etc formed an essential part of the upbringing. Added to it, was my personal inclination to dance.
When my father was posted to Bombay, it was Guru Kundanlal who continued to hone my skills in Kathak. I was trained by Birju Maharaj Ji. Early in life I learnt, courtesy my mother, to focus, concentrate, go into the depth of the subject and give one’s whole to whatever one was doing at that moment. Thus time management with dedication, devotion, sincerity and depth became second nature since childhood. This allowed me to maintain my top position academically and in the field of dance.
I was recognized as a young Kathak dancer on the professional scene. Then there was no looking back and it has been over 50 years that I have been recognized as a professional solo Kathak dancer. However, I have been on stage for over 65 years.
WS: What was the most challenging part of your journey till now? How did you overcome those challenges?
The challenges were mainly because of health issues. Born with a weak constitution, it was dance that gave me life and emotional and mental sustenance. From the mid 90s, series of medical issues started re-surfacing such as skin problem, brain stroke resulting in paralysis of the eye nerves leaving me with only half peripheral vision in both eyes, knee and shoulder problems, to list some of them. It was dance and total immersion in it that gave me strength, courage and a nonchalant approach to face life on my terms. For me Kathak dance is yoga; it is total meditation; it is bhakti-yoga and bhakti marg to elevate the inner self.
WS: If you are given with a magic wand with three wishes to be granted, what will be your those three wishes?
I do not have wishes and desires. But yes there is one prayer that I have and that is to die with my ghunghuroos on.And in case you insist on 2 other wishes, then I do hope and pray that (1) humanity and sensitivity should prevail in the world and (2) that people learn to accept differences of all kinds – caste, colour, race, creed, ism and that they all should co-exist harmoniously.
WS: What is the part of your life experience you would alter if you had the chance to?
Nothing. I am happy with what life has given me with all its challenges, ups and downs.
WS: So how do you balance your personal and professional life?
Early in life, courtesy my mother I learnt that one should always be passionate and focused on what one is doing, without overlapping one task into the other. This has helped me not only to balance my two professional careers but also balance my personal and professional lives.
WS: Quickies:
Your favourite food: Ghar ka khana
Your Favourite book: The timeless Bhagwad Gita
You spend your leisure time by: Dancing, reading, listening to music
Favourite holiday destination: To be with my family where they live (my husband in Vienna and son too in Vienna)
Ideal person: All persons have some unique quality.
Your Strength: To be able to understand my weaknesses and faults and acknowledge them
WS: Your message for women who aspire to become like you one day.
Whatever one does one should do it well, with great depth, dedication, sadhana and that one should be willing to take risks, face failures and not let success sweep you off the ground. Because success is relative and is a mirage.
WS: One sentence that defines you? –A contended soul
