Eminent Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh is also proficient in other dancing styles like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Chhau. Besides, she is a well known choreographer and social activist. Her dancing career began in Mumbai in 1962. Over the years she won international recognition and was conferred with many awards including Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2003). In 1977, she founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in Delhi. To mark the completion of her 40 years in dancing in 2001, filmmaker Prakash Jha made a documentary film on her titled Sonal, which won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.

The person I admire the most: My paternal grandfather Shri Mangaldas Pakvasa. He was a liberal Gandhian and had great respect for women

One thing that drove me closer to dance: Unfulfilled karma from previous life

If I were not a dancer I would be: A clown? Ha ha ha...

Happiness to me is: To be able to laugh at myself

My favourite production: Draupadi

I take care of my health by: Drinking plenty of water

The high point in my life: Yet to come

The low point in my life: Countless

My idea of comfort food: Chocolates

Something my fans don’t know about me: My love for wit and humour

My advice to aspiring dancers: Be rooted

I want to be remembered as: Sonal the Dancing Mansingh



As told to Yoshika Sangal