Having watched her mother perform graceful Kathak steps, it is natural Nabomita Sarkar wanted to do the same, too. And she did, going on to excel like her mother Snigdha.

It hardly mattered that she chose to learn Bharatnatyam, instead of Kathak. Love of dance was what mattered to both mother and daughter, and together they pursued and interpreted the two forms of dancing, in their own way.

Interestingly, neither pursued dance professionally, but each has won laurels along the way for their fine performances.

Nabomita, in her mid-twenties, admits she has been greatly inspired by her mother, and her father Sukumar Sarkar?s support kept her going, always, no matter what the situation.

As far as Nabomita is concerned, the family was very protectively conservative. They had, and still have their reservations about letting her move about alone, and this did in some ways hamper her growth in the field.

?Had we given her the opportunity to learn dance from renowned dance exponents in Delhi or down south, she could have done better. But we are happy that even in the limited resources she has made us and her teachers proud,? her mother says, proud of her daughter?s growth in a field she herself has been so passionate about.

Like any parents, both Sukumar and Snigdha?s concern for her future made them ensure that besides dance, she also picked up other skills required and special focus was given to education.

?She is talented, and though we want her to earn a name for herself and fame through her dance, we did not allow her to concentrate only on that. She has completed her M.A in economics, besides learning dance from M.K. Veni Prasad, so that she remains academically qualified for her future,? her mother Snigdha added.

Within the restrictions, and in spite of having to balance her focus between dance and academics, Nabomita still managed to go places, literally.

?She has participated in the youth festivals conducted by the Ranchi University and been to Jamshedpur, Chennai and Calcutta as well,? Snigdha puts in, smiling.

She has reasons to smile. For she has not just been her inspirer, but Nabomita?s first teacher as well. ?My mother taught me initially about the postures and mudras. She kept a close watch on my steps when I practiced,? Nabomita points out, speaking about how it all began and she progressed over the years.

With such supportive parents around, it didn?t really matter that she couldn?t travel to other cities to learn under the masters. ?My parents are very supportive, especially my father had been with me as my support,? she says, gratefully.

?It was because of him I received so many awards and accolades at different functions. My parents always stood by me, especially when I was hesitant. I had refused to participate in many functions but my mother insisted. Later, I realised the importance of her coaxing,? she said, adding that without them, she could hardly have done so much.

Dance binds them, though mother and daughter love to fight it out too! ?My mother restricts me in whatever I do and it?s very rare when my mother agrees to my suggestions,? she exclaims, laughing, though.

Admitting her opinion is not necessarily always right, and that she has friends whose parents are far more conservative.

?I would say she is more liberal. I never really had to fight hard for what I wanted. Even if it is after a heated discussion, she always does agree with me in the end,? Nabomita laughs. With a daughter as dedicated as her, which mother wouldn?t?

Abhijeet Mukherjee