DANCING IS her cricket. And, fortunately, she is dancing her way to glory sans controversy.
Meet Dona Ganguly, the famous Odissi dancer or better known as the 'better half' of ace cricketer Sourav Ganguly.
In town, to perform for the opening ceremony of Shilp Mela being organised by North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Dona is the disciple of Kelucharan Mahapatra, the greatest exponent of Odissi.
She has already received several awards such as 'Jadubhatt Puraskar', 'RD Burman Memorial award', 'Uttam Kumar Award', 'Satyajit Award' and received a gold medal for her final year examination of Pracheen Kala Kendra.
"I love dancing is all I could say. It is my hobby and I am deep into it," she said.
"I keep performing in various temples besides giving stage shows as it is quite evident that Odissi is associated with worship of Lord Jagannath," she said.
Dona's skill as a dancer has won her recognition in USA and UK and she has been conferred with several awards for her outstanding performances.
Sana, her daughter is also learning the nuances of Odissi dance at a tender age of five. "I have never forced her to choose her career. She is desirous of learning dancing. Cricket or Odissi will be entirely her decision," said the doting mother. Life changes after one becomes a parent, feels Dona.
{{/usCountry}}Sana, her daughter is also learning the nuances of Odissi dance at a tender age of five. "I have never forced her to choose her career. She is desirous of learning dancing. Cricket or Odissi will be entirely her decision," said the doting mother. Life changes after one becomes a parent, feels Dona.
{{/usCountry}}"Sourav and me try to spend more time with our daughter and we are more busy in grooming her as a good human being," she said.
Being here in Prayag for the first time, the visit has been exciting for Dona. And even when she had the least knowledge about the religious significance of Prayag she is keen to perform during the Ardh Kumbh, if invited of course.
"I had heard a lot about Kumbh Mela and though visiting Sangam is not in my itinerary this time, I would love to come back here and visit the holy confluence," she said.