Excelsior Correspondent
When asked why is he so much passionate about dancing. To this he says “Dancing is my passion. It is quite difficult for me to imagine a life without it. I feel quite restless when I do not dance for one reason or the other. It is my identity, and one ceases to exist, if one loses identity. Rather I would say my soul is in my dance.’’
His dancing career started as a hobby. Dancing seeped in his blood when he used to watch Nritya Ka Akhil Bhartiya Karyakaram on DDI. At that time his maternal aunt who used to play sitar asked him “why don’t you dance on sitar beats. Thus started his destiny with dance. Then he kept on practicising it regularly. While going nostalgic about his dancig career he says “My public participation came when I took part in funfare cultural programme organised by Jammu University.
There was no looking behind since then. Later on when I joined Engineering College to pursue architecture, I did not leave dancing. Rather, I practised it side by side my studies. Then I joined Nritya Niketan New Delhi to learn more about classical dance under the guidance of P Natrajna. I remained under his tutelage for almost three years. This apprenticeship opened window for my future career. I got an opportunity to perform in National Integration & Cultural event where I got first prize.’’
Presently he is learning Kathak Dance (Jaipur and Lakhnavi Gharana) from Pt Narayan Prasad. Besides, he is also working as event choreographer with a renowned theatre group.
He has to his credit many prizes. He has been felicitated by various cultural group for his outstanding contribution to the field of dance.
However he is not satisfied with the Dance Institutes in Jammu. He says everyone is getting attracted towards western dance styles but do not opt for classical dance which is quite necessary for learning basic dance skills. The Jammu based Dance institutes promote only western style dance, and give a raw deal to classical dance.
His parents have stood by him through thick and thin. He is quite proud of it. He says”. My parents have been quite supportive of my vocation. They have encouraged me right from beginning to grab every opportunity to prove my work at every stage. Whether at home or outside. they remain quite enthusiastic about my performance”.