Shovana Narayan

Shovana Narayan, is a famous Kathak Dancer, Padam Shri Awardee. She performs extensively in India and around the world.

1.      Tell us a little about you and your family?

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.