......................................................................................................Profile

 Shanta Rati Mishra 

Dance is the centre of my being

Tall and elegant, Shanta Rati Mishra moves with innate grace and style. Her every movement is expressive and hints at the dansuese in her. A multifaceted personality, she is also a filmmaker and a promoter of Indian Art.

After studying Bharatnatyam under Shrimati Kalanidhi and Sri Adyar Lakshman as well as Sri K P Bhaskar and Shrimati Neila Sathyalingam, she went on to study Kathakali from Sri Odyur Govinda Pillai and Kuchipudi from the well known dance duo Padmabhushan Raja and Radha Reddy and also from Padmabhushan Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam.

Shanta has given performances in Australia, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Iraq, UK and the US. In India she has danced at Khajurao- The Sangeet Kala Academy; at the Sangeet Natak Akademi's 'Nrityosav' in Bangalore and several other festivals.

Shanta has conceptualised, choreographed, scripted and directed a dance and theatre production, "Writings on the wall" using Chinese and Indian calligraphy and traditional dance techniques blended with modern dance. She has also carved a niche as a Director and a Producer of "And Miles to Flow..." a documentary film which was selected for the International Documentary Festival in 1998.

Currently in Mumbai, Shanta continues to explore the beauty of classical art forms and is poised to promote the traditional art forms by setting up an art foundation.

Mumbaibest brings you, Shanta Rati Mishra

Shanta, could you please tell us something about yourself, your background, your growing- up years?

I was the youngest in the family. My siblings were all musically inclined and would always listen to a lot of music. My mother was a classical singer and I would dance to all the music around. My father who was highly artistically inclined put me in a dancing school at the age of 5-5 ½. I performed my first item on stage when I was about six and a half. At this stage dancing was not really a career but more like swimming or going to school, just another part of my life. The environment around me was multicultural and it is this background that influenced my choices.

How did you get introduced to Kuchipudi?

When growing up in Singapore the real introduction to dance was when artistes from India came and performed. The first time I saw it was when I was in school and I thought it was a really beautiful. But at that time Bharatnatyam was the most
well-known of dances and also the only form of dance being taught in Singapore. My parents were very protective of me at that time and there was no chance of them sending me to India.

I learnt Kuchipudi much later when Raja and Radha Reddy, Kuchipudi exponents from Delhi met me they said I should learn Kuchipudi as I had the right look - being tall and having a good structure. The seed was already planted in my mind and this was the second push. I was living abroad at that time. I came to India and I began to learn from them and I began performing.

What has been the influence of dance in your life?

You can’t call it an influence, it is my life! There were many years in my life when I was not dancing, physically not dancing - but in my heart - I was always dancing. Dance is what centered me. It is the centre of my growth. It is my lens through which I see the world, it opens a charmed world for me. Dance includes music, texture, colour everything. For me life is one big dance! When you are a dancer, for you dance encompasses so many things; you have to be sensitive to elements around you. We draw from life to give our art and from our art- to lead our life.

Could you tell of us any performance that has been memorable for you and why?

I have always been fond of ballet and I used to have pictures of all these ballet dancers lining my desk and wall when I was growing up. One of the most memorable performances was seeing Rudolph Nureyez and Margot Fonteyn performing at the Covent Garden, UK. I was sitting there crying because I was a part of something that was absolutely magical. I knew what greatness was at that time. It was a magical experience for me.

Among my performances, the fifth time I performed, while performing I felt as if I was watching myself perform and it was strange and at the same time it was fine. It was the first time it happened and it was really intense.

Could you tell us about the people who have influenced you and how?

I have grown up without any role model and I always wanted a role model. I have an inner imperative, a kind of inner compass that has guided me. The closest anyone came to influencing me was Protima Bedi. From the very first time I met her abroad she identified with the churning in me and guided me with a lot of sensitivity and maturity. It was as if she could read my thoughts and allay my fears thus encouraging me. Victor Frankel’s book, "In search of a Man" influenced me very deeply. My sister is another person whose influence is very deep.

What are the activities that you are involved in now?

I am involved with my own dance performances. I am also involved in setting up the Antara Foundation. I am working on a couple of new projects for my dance repertoire. I am planning a festival for Antara very soon. I am planning to launch 'Indian Rainbow', a lecture demonstration series in October primarily for children (but adults too could be part of it) introduce them to give them a working knowledge of art starting with dance.

What is the concept behind the Antara Foundation?

The concept is simple, we want to bring traditional art to the modern audience, without it losing its intrinsic values, without compromising its fundamental principles and packaging it with modern sensibilities and presenting it to the modern audience. Give people an entry-point to the world of art.

Who are the people involved with you and what are your plans?

People from different professions and who are distinguished in their ways and share the vision have come together and formed a core group. Among the trustees of the Foundation are Harish Thawani, Media and Entertainment professional and Govind Nihalani, Filmmaker. We have identified activities like festivals showcasing performing arts and visual arts and experimental and innovative art as core activities that the foundation would undertake.

What would you like to tell our viewers?

Give yourselves a chance to get acquainted with these traditional dance forms. Do not turn away without knowing about them. Make informed decisions. Give yourself a little time and effort. You may not like it but atleast know about it. Treat it like an adventure.

By: Supriya Rathod