Divyani Mohanty

Divyani’s introduction to dance came from her mother, who is also her guru. The first dance that she picked up from Odissi, subsequently went on to pick up Kathak as well. A student of South Point High School in Kolkata, Divyani is an all-rounder of sorts. She is not only a performer par excellence but also equally good in her studies. She goes on to tell us an anecdote about when she was younger. Because she had been running a temperature, she had been advised by her peers and others to rest and not dance. However, her love and dedication for the art form meant that she went ahead and did her class anyway. Surprisingly enough, after her class, she realised that her fever was gone. It was the first time she realised that dance is life medicine for her – from which she draws sustenance and joy. When asked about what she loves most about Odissi, she tells us that it is the grace of the dance and beauty of the dance form, the ornaments and the poses, as well as the softness and sharpness that intermingle on stage. She currently performs all over the country and various cultural programmes, guided by and often along with her mother. She has also been awarded a host of different distinctions and accolades. While she has to often be away for dance recitals and competitions, she is very thankful for the support she gets from her school administration. They are happy to let her take time off and pursue her dance, and she in turn puts her all into her studies, shining through each time. For Divyani, dance is a passion and a major part of her life. In fact, she says she cannot imagine living without it.