Journalism of Courage
Danseuse Sonal Mansingh believes dancers communicate human emotions more effectively as they view them in a three-dimensional form
She might have aged on paper but her eyes speak volumes about the amount of energy that lies bundled inside one of Indias finest Odissi dancers Sonal Mansingh. Quick- witted,yet subtle enough to have an eye for the most abstract of human emotions,her exuberance is infectious as one cannot help but be amazed to see her altertaning between being a dancer,philosopher,and scholar,in quick succession.
The effervescent danseuse,whose performances are usually layered and delve deep into unspoken emotions,is as enigmatic as her performances when it comes to speaking about Indian classical dance forms. Indian dance forms in themselves are so rich and deep that it can take entire lifetimes to understand them,and yet one might be able to discover new facets to it, she says. Dance forms have been evolving over the years,in order to blend into the new,emerging milieu and ensure that it doesnt stagnate, adds Mansingh.
Her work usually is a reflection of various societal issues,regarding women and environment. Even in my own performance of Draupadi,I have delved into many of her unspoken emotions and interpreted them differently. In fact,one of the most symbolic aspects of her persona was the friendship that she shared with Krishna. Unlike modern times,their friendship was deep and beyond the understanding of common people. So,I believe in touching upon such facets of human emotions that have rarely been spoken or written about. They are meant to be felt and experienced on a personal,sub-atomic level, she asserts.
In the city to perform at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII),Mansingh says,Every city is unique and different and so are my performances. For me,it is important to assign individual an status to my performances,so that I can constantly keep reinventing myself. Elaborating on the importance of dance in her life,the veteran danseuse says its like a symbiotic being that has grown unto her and become a part of her. I owe my life to dance. Its not just a statement but a way of life for me,as it was only through dance that I was able to make my way back after a life-threatening accident,which left me with a broken back, she reveals.
There cannot be a purer emotion than love. While cynics might not be able to accept this as a fact,I firmly state that the underlying principle of any human emotion is love. It has been demonstrated time and again in our rich culture,and I,as a dancer,wish to portray the same emotion through my performances. As a dancer,its an emotional and spiritual high for me. Its like saying that in the indifferent spaces of our minds and our hearts,we find the space to dance again, concludes Mansingh,with a smile.
