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In episode 37 of ADOR LOVESHOTS, relish this conversation between Udit Shah - CEO of Ador Dating App, and Dr Srishti Budhori - Classical Dancer, Yoga, Practitioner, and Pediatrician.
Check out more conversations, facts, and blogs.
Kindly share a brief about you and your journey as a Dancer and Yogasana professional.
I started dancing at the age of 4. It was my mother who put me into this art form to keep me engaged. Through rigorous practice over the years, performing, and learning, I started to develop a liking for it which eventually turned into a passion and now there is not a single day that goes by without me thinking, living, and breathing about dance. That's all my journey as a dancer. Regarding yoga, it's a very integral part of the Indian classical dance form because you need to be flexible to be able to have grace and beauty in the movements. So, nothing better than yoga to keep your core engaged, your body flexible and supple. This has been part of my training from the very beginning.
Online Digital Content creation has opened up many avenues for sharing the passion of our community. What are the steps for any dancer to become an online content creator?
In today's time, there has been a boom in social media and it is becoming a platform for people to explore and express themselves. For dancers, I would say that just be yourselves, continue practicing, and do not compromise your style, your quality, and your content to others' preferences. Do what you are best at and enjoy yourself. If people like it, they will enjoy it and if they don't then at least you are being true to your own art form.
What are the core reasons for your passion for the field of Dancing? Share with us how Dancing has become the core of your daily life?
It is said that love has no reason and if it has reasons then it is not love. So, dance is something that I adore, love, and am passionate about. Continuous practice, learning, and delving deep into this art form have made me a part of it and it has become a part of me. Now, I think we are inseparable. So, I enjoy it, and I feel that I am in a different sphere altogether when I am dancing. I find my inner self, I am a different character and I am having different levels of energy when I am dancing so that is what I admire the most when I am dancing or practicing.
If you had a chance to spend 1 hour with one professional dancer, who he/she would be?
If given a chance to spend an hour with a professional artist, it would any day be ma'am Bijayini Satpathy. She is an Odissi artist and practitioner. I enjoy seeing her dancing because when she is dancing, I feel like she is living it, breathing it and she is taking me along with her journey. To come to that level, one needs to have a deeper understanding of the Indian Classical dance form and I would love to learn that from her. To share and exchange ideas.
Why traditional dance forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam are the utmost importance to learn for the youth?
It is very important for any dance form to touch the heart, the element of bhaava i.e. the expression, grace, nazaakat. Otherwise dance would be just plain, mechanical and robotic. So I feel Indian Classical dance form emphasizes this theory and practice it in a different level altogether. Hence, it is very important for any dancer regardless of their dance form to learn the basics of Indian Classical dance form to be able to have that beauty, agility, subtleness and grace that dance demands. So I would recommend not only to the youth but also everybody to at least learn the basics.
What are the easiest ways for youth to learn the basics of dancing from the comfort of their home online?
Well, there is no easy way out. You cannot learn the basic English alphabets at home, you'll definitely need a teacher who can teach you directly for you to able to form passages, poems and stories. Similarly, in dance learning the basics online, from my perspective, is a big no. To able to detect a mistake, to have that touch and face-to-face interaction at the basic level is a must for any art form and of any learning. So, in my opinion, go to a teacher, learn the basics, the art form and have some years of experience and then you can transition into online learning.
How does dancing help in the growth of the practitioner in terms of physical and mental benefits?
Dance is to create an art through your mind and body which eventually touches your soul and also of the person who is seeing your art form. This whole process of learning, unlearning, creating, redesigning your steps and being your own self tends to release the happy hormones in the body which acts in different areas and overall creates a sense of well being, satisfaction, and peace. It's altogether a meditation or Sadhana and nothing can replace that.
Your Top 3 favourite Dancers in India
In no particular order, I would go with Priyadarshini Govindji. She is from the Bharatanatyam background. Also, Rama Vaidyanathan ji who is also from the same art form. They are both amazing with their choreographies, expressions and the way they make impromptu steps and stories always inspires me. From the Odissi background, as mentioned earlier is Guru Bijayini Satpathy ji. Her dance, movements, balance, body conditioning and her technique is at a different level altogether. These are my all time favorite dancers.
Fun and Rapid Fire Round on Ador Loveshots
Udit Shah: One teacher who changed your life?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: My Guruji, Guru Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy, without whom I wouldn't have been a dancer.
Udit Shah: Your favorite dancer in your favorite dance form?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: There are many, I can't choose one.
Udit Shah: Your topmost favorite Indian and Global Actor?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: Ranveer Singh and Meryl Streep.
Udit Shah: You cannot imagine your single day without?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: Dancing.
Udit Shah: Top 2 benefits of Yogasana?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: Flexibility and body conditioning.
Udit Shah: If you were given a chance to choose one global dance celeb for sharing the stage with, whom would you choose?
Dr. Srishti Budhori: Misty Copeland.
Thank you for a wonderful time!