Dona Ganguly might be known as the wife of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly but there is a lot more to her personality. Leading the life of a dancer, she has had the privilege to learn from some of the great maestros like Amala Shankar and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Keeping herself busy with her dance, Dona is ready to represent the nation at the upcoming Festival of India titled ‘By The Nile’, in Egypt. Here Dona talks about the part arts play in diplomatic relations and her celebrated cricketer husband’s support.
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See, just like in South India all kids are expected to learn some classical art form, in West Bengal also we are supposed to join arts, dance or music classes. My parents had first put me under the renowned dancer Amala Shankar, the wife of maestro Uday Shankar.
From there, slowly and steadily, I went towards Odissi and finally Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra took me under his wings. For a long time, I learned from him either in Cuttak at his house, or he used to come to Kolkata and stayed with us.
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I never consciously decided to become a professional dancer but a steady stream of performances with Guruji and then as a soloist made me come to a point where I was a professional without my realising.
What are your views on events like The Festival of India?
Indian classical dance forms have certain aesthetic value and they cannot and should not be presented everywhere and anywhere. More than the politicians, who just wish a cultural skit to happen before, between, or after a major business event or a bilateral talk, etc. the artists know the true elegance with which their art can be presented. An occasion like Festival of India gives one a chance to represent the nation at an international level with realistic and tasteful art.
What are you presenting in ‘By The Nile’…
I’m planning to present traditional choreographies of Kelu babu like “Saveri pallavi” and “Shankarabharnam”, abhinaya items like “Ardhanareshwar” and “Naba Durga”. It will be traditional, not something extremely modern, because I wish to promote Odissi in its purest form.
What is Sourav’s take on your career?
Well he’s often a silent spectator. Sourav never refuses or stops me from doing anything but he also does not go out of his way to promote me, which I believe is a blessing because if he would have dismissed my artistic cravings then all would have been withheld up inside me. So it is a boon that I have a lovely husband and more than that a mother-in-law, who looks after my daughter when I’m touring or practising.
What is your take on the current situation of Indian classical arts?
I strongly believe that Indian classical arts should get as much promotion as Bollywood movies and cricket. It is only because of the glamour and excessive promotion that these film celebrities and these sports personalities develop a feeling that people are going head over heels to emulate them. I often wonder what would happen if we were given this much publicity. How easily we would have become celebrities and spread our art.