Padma Shri Shovana Narayan
Her life is an example of true grit and resilience.
From her first stage performance at the tender age of four, till now when she is 75 plus, dance defines her being.
Whether it’s pure Kathak or a fusion with ballet, flamenco and tap dancers, not to forget Buddhist monks for incorporating chants; for her it is a musical collaboration of rhythms where there are no boundaries, no limitations….it’s like fresh wave of eternal music. And she has loved her immersion in it wholeheartedly, losing herself to the beats.
Performing Arts and a successful career in Indian Audits & Accounts Service, Shovana Narayan carried both responsibilities attached to both genres with unmatched skills and sincerity.
I think I was the first person to be a professional dancer who went into civil service,” she says. “As a dancer, every performance is an examination, every performance counts, and as a civil servant, your work counts everyday,” she adds.
Today the celebrated Kathak exponent, a loving guru, a beautiful choreographer and a prolific writer, she is a shining star of elegance and grace, who has faced every challenge in her life with utmost inner strength and determination.
“Life goes on”, she says with a smile.
I sat with her for a quick tete-a-tete over a nice cup of tea….
Excerpts here, enjoy reading…
“Dance is my healer, puja, soul and breath!”
Padma Shri Shovana Narayan
Defining myself….
For me my language is dance, my pooja is dance , my prayer is dance, my breath is dance .
I also like my study to expand the horizon of knowledge, and that’s the aspect of Saraswati which I like.
So I am a person who expresses through dance, who loves life, who loves to help people, who loves to share whatever she knows with everyone.
Dance to me is my soul….
Dance to me is my life, my soul, my atma, my breath. It is everything to me. When I am dancing, it’s me, I am Myself.
I can express myself, my emotions the best through my idiom of dance more than through words. And it has been my constant.
My journey….
71 years now I have been on stage. Over the years, it has become a constant conversation between me, my entire body and my dance.
My dance has adapted to my changing body.
Stage is always a sacred space for me.
Dance has been a healer, my companion, woven so many aspects of my life together.
Always been a pillar to give me support. It has kept me on my toes. It has reminded me that passion never fails. It has been a blessing!
Memories I cherish….
At the age of 4, I got stage fright. My mother’s one line released me from bondage of fear. And since then stage has been my comfort zone.
Lastly, I am very honest with myself….
I take responsibility for all my actions. I am not the kind who would find excuses to blame others for my actions. I like to be very honest to myself. Because after all I have to face my own inner self.
One thing I am very careful about is not harming anybody intentionally.
I don’t like to talk ill about others.
I like to avoid negativity, stay away from negative environment.
I am very critical and honest with myself.
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