I must have been barely six or seven years old when I first stepped into the world of dance, which was then considered a taboo for girls. At that time, in 1940s, there were few dance teachers. Odissi was confined only to theatres. Fortunately, my father, a school headmaster, allowed me to chase my dreams. Professionally trained, I was invited to perform at several European countries.

Meanwhile, I got married to an engineer in 1964. He was working in Switzerland and my son, Babu, moved in with him when he turned six. I kept shuttling between the alien land and my home here. I used to carry storybooks on Indian mythology and other folktales for Babu.

Since it was difficult for me to teach him how to read and write Oriya, I always made it a point to converse with him in our mother tongue. After my husband's death in 1986, I had stayed with Babu for four years till he became a doctor. Recently, he told me that he has no objection if I look for his bride. If not an Oriya, I would at least want my bahu to be an Indian.

Wherever I go, I try to learn people's lifestyle there. But at the same time, I never let it interfere my roots. Many presume that I am based in Switzerland, whereas I spend the most part of the year in Bhubaneswar or Cuttack. I go there only to escape the sweltering summers and to be with my son. But of course, I miss my favourite “pakhala” (cooked rice fermented in water) there since the hard water makes it very frothy.

In Switzerland, I conduct Odissi dance workshops and appreciation courses for children as well as grown-ups. Apart from Odissi, other Indian dance forms such as Bharatnatyam and Kathak are also very popular there.

Today, I feel immensely satisfied to see a wave of cultural renaissance and consciousness in the state. With various cultural events being organised round the year, the entire world has woken up to the magnificence of Orissa’s unique and vibrant cultural legacy.

Undoubtedly, we have achieved a lot in these past seven and half decades. And our state is definitely on path of progress and prosperity. In the past few years, education facilities and job prospects have received a boost while a revolution in transport and communication has greatly reduced the urban-rural divide.

However, as we march forward to celebrate our platinum jubilee, we need to keep in mind the several challenges lying ahead of us. Back breaking poverty, starvation deaths, poor health conditions and underdevelopment, especially in the tribal pockets, continue to be major concerns. And it would not be fair on our part to criticise the government and expect them to work out things every time things go amiss. We, the citizens, need to be aware of our responsibilities and commit ourselves to take the state to greater heights of glory.

As told to Shilpi Sampad