Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh is more than an eminent dancer and choreographer. She is an institution in herself, who has spread her wings of knowledge on dance, worldwide.
Her latest venture being, revisiting the Natya-Katha, an ancient form of story-telling which she has beautified with her own singing and narrative style along with Abhinaya, the art of expression through various postures, hand-gestures and facial emotions. It is first of its kind by any dancer.
Born on the 30th of April 1944, Sonal Mansingh has performed in 90 countries in five continents of the world. She has held Master classes and workshops, given lecture-demonstrations in the remotest corners of the world in order to share her joy in the beauty and wisdom of dance.
It’s an honour that she took some time out to share her precious knowledge with A.Kameshwari of One World News, in an exclusive interview:
What is the difference between the generations now and then?
If I talk about generation of children i.e. Gen-Y today, I find earlier times way better than they are now. In those days, there was no television, phones, internet etc. so people had more time, energy and focus for everything else. Nowadays children have no time to focus on anything. Their schooling is so hard and pressurizing that they hardly have time for extracurricular activities. Even schools do not offer any sort of physical exercise/training; moreover studies and projects are either done on the laptop or the cell-phone. This leads to health issues. It’s irritating to notice that every five minutes people are now checking their phones.
On the other hand parents who also belong to this generation want to make their children nothing less than a perfectionist. Even housewives have so many distractions like shopping, kitty parties, parlours etc. that they hardly pay attention to their kid’s health. I myself have witnessed few such cases of carelessness. They don’t realise that whatever they are doing now would create problems for the children in the long run.
People are mortgaging themselves to the internet, television, whatsapp etc. and feel as if they know everything, but in reality they know nothing. It’s not about criticising but looking at the harsh reality. The whole atmosphere of today’s lifestyle is not preparing people to face the real world. I find there is a huge chasm and it’s widening with every passing day.
I have students coming in from every social strata, a student who travels in a Mercedes to a student who commutes in the rickshaw. We deliberately mix them, foreach oneto learn how to survive in different situations of life and learn from each other.
Do you think people take Dance as a serious career these days?
Dance is taken as a career option these days only if you want to go on reality shows, rather I’ll say the scope of taking up career in this area has grown in a big way after reality shows emerged in India. Some dancers are really good in aerial, belly, contemporary etc. When we made our name, classical dancing was at the top of the rung, especially solo dancing. Right from Balasaraswati, Shanta Rao, Sonal Mansingh, Padma Subramanyam and few more all were solo dancers. Ganga Festival, Elephanta, Ellora, Khajuraho etc. were events which would not start without my performance in the beginning. Then came the festivals of India abroad, until then we had individual invitations from abroad and for the first time U.S became the big player. Then started the era of govt-sponsored Utsavs and all of a sudden dance groups were in huge demand, whether it was good dance or not. Our classical dances were not meant for groups as it’s not easy for everyone to have the same expressions and positions at the same time. As times changed, dance became more of a business for some people. Personally feel that although there are numerous performers (they are only) very few ‘artists’. I think there are many career opportunities but quality and purpose is lost.
But some people are really keen to promote this art form. Even in small towns, there are dance schools no matter what sort of dance they teach. It is important to remember that girls get married at a young age, so post-marriage they do not get an opportunity to continue with their careers. Even if they do, there are only handful who manage to make their presence felt in a big way.
Which role do you prefer, the housewife or the dancer? How is literature related to dancing?
I am not playing any role in life, but yes living it to the fullest. Indian classical dance is completely literature based. In fact in classical dance literary background is very important. There are two phases called Nritta which is pure dance with rhythm, talam, body movements, patterns etc. Second one is the soul of Indian dance where literature is the backbone. Right from Rig-Veda to contemporary poems you have an ocean of literature. So what you understand and interpret is very important which makes communication with the audience meaningful. Your own growth is depicted in the classical form of dancing. Nowadays people are not well read so they are not in touch with their own literature and this is not conducive to dancer specially. ‘Superficiality is the Mantra’.
Tell us about your experience abroad?
Abroad is abroad. There people love dance and that’s why you love performing. There is more discipline, but I am only talking about American’s in America, European’s in Europe, Japanese in Japan etc. and not the Indian associations. So we stage shows only for the ticketed performances in theatres where the Indians too have to buy tickets like everyone.
Whom do you admire the most and what is your inspiration?
I admire everyone as each one has his/her special qualities. I am inspired by life and I am grateful to God for each and every day, because you never know when your breath will stop. And I was always taught to live life to the fullest.
Tell us something about this workshop of yours’?
It is for the first time that I am conducting this workshop in my institute. It is important for the present generation to know about actual dance. In the first half of the day we blend two disciplines, the dance form of Manipur ‘Pung Cholom’ known for its sense of rhythm and a few other exercises as well to develop good physical strength and health as also some contemporary dance moves. Open Session for all age groups on various myths & meanings related to various dance forms. There will also be a discussion on recent history of India and dance few videos of famous performances Abhinaya component for some senior teachers and established dancers taught by me.
Do you have any message for our readers?
I would just like to say that create beauty, joy and share the knowledge of life. One should be grateful to God for each day and each breath. Avoid hurting people because in the end it is you who will not be at peace. You reap what you sow, so do good and do not expect the same in return.
“Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Abb
Pal Mein Parlai Hoyegi, Bahuri Karega Kabb”
Hari Om!
Picture Courtesy : Sonal Mansingh
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