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International Dance Day 2025: 6 classical dancers on finding identity, purpose and passion through dance
On International Dance Day 2025, six classical dancers share how dance has shaped their identity, purpose, and passion, offering insights into their journey.
For many, dance is more than just an art form, it's a path to self-expression, self-discovery and purpose. On this International Dance Day, HT Digital has reached out to renowned classical dancers, who have shared their inspiring journeys of finding identity, passion and purpose through dance. (Also read: Step inside Azim Premji's ₹350 crore Bengaluru bungalow: Not Indiranagar, Sadashiva Nagar, Jayanagar, it's located in...)
Classical dancers reflect on what dance truly means to them
Geeta Chandran, Padma Shri award-winning Bharatanatyam dancer says, “Dance is a skill; but is it just a skill? To me dance is a passion that consumes every moment of one’s life – whether awake or even while asleep. I even dream dance! When one’s very DNA gets imprinted with movement and finding reasons for those movements is what makes dance an all-consuming passion for me.”
Bharatanatyam dancer Madhura Bhrushundi reflects, “For me, it is the seamless coming together of music, movement, rhythm, poetry, and emotions wherein lies the beauty of dance and its power to move. Each facet of dance- learning, observing, imbibing, practising, teaching, and performing-has enriched me in its unique way, often without me even realising it. It is only in the moments of stillness and silence within the dance that I'm able to truly grasp the profound impact it has had on me over the years. Dance has been my one true companion—the one constant that allows me to simply be. And as I journey further with it, I hope to uncover deeper layers to the enigma that is dance!”
"My first identity from birth is as a human being. But socially, I'm known as an artist, which is an identity I've earned through a lot of life experiences and challenges. I believe that some form of yoga is necessary to find inner peace or salvation. For me, the way to achieve this is through Karmayoga, the yoga of action. It's often said that people spend their lives searching for their purpose," says Kathak Dancer Dheerendra Tiwari.
'I'm deeply involved in this sadhana'
He adds, “In that sense, knowing my work and purpose as an artist feels like a true gift. And I see it as my duty to respect and honour this gift. Before really engaging in any spiritual practice or sadhana, it's important to understand what it means. For me, dance is a sadhana that goes beyond just logic; it's a way of living, as essential as my daily needs. When I'm deeply involved in this sadhana, I feel completely present in the moment. It's like I'm not burdened by the past, and at the same time, I'm not lost in fantasies about the future.”
‘Kuchipudi for me, is a way of life’
Kuchipudi dancer Abhinaya Nagajothy shared, "Kuchipudi for me, is a way of life. My world has always revolved around dancing probably destined even before I was born as a third-generation artist in my family. I believe it is beyond storytelling or cultural connection and defines my identity and being.
Bharata in his Natya Sastra says:
"Na tat jnanam na tat shilpam
Nasa vidya nasa kala
Nasau yogo na tat karman
Natyesmin yanna drishyate"
There is nothing that is not found in natya (performance):
knowledge, sculpture, education, art, yoga, performance encompasses EVERYTHING."
Odissi dancer Shashwathi Garai Ghosh beautifully expresses, "I dance—I internalise. It is an experience, a quiet vista, a lilting tune, a sense of something growing inside me."
Vani Bhalla Pahwa, Cancer Coach, Medical Fitness Expert, Keynote Speaker, and Classical Dancer, shares, “For me, dance transcended the realm of performance to become something that quietly infused every part of my being. The flowing grace of Mohiniyattam belies the strength, control, and deep endurance the form demands. Over time, that quiet grace seeped into my way of meeting life, striving for expression and balance, even in the face of trials and turbulence.”
“As a North Indian practitioner of a South Indian art form, it bridged cultural boundaries, offering a connection beyond region. Dance, in its holistic essence, has not only supported my own healing but has also lent subtlety and depth to my work as a healthcare specialist, guiding others not to give up on dignity, resilience, and quality of life. It has been my stillness and my strength, my sanctuary and my language. A rhythm through which I continue to live, speak, and serve,” says Vani.
