An artist needs to be self-motivated, with a burning desire to excel and inspire

[vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676791932349{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

In conversation with ASTHA DIXIT, Dancer, Actor, Author & Life Coach

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1624007608524{padding-top: 3% !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

THIS TÊTE-À-TÊTE BY INDIAN SOUNDS & STEPS WITH ASTHA DIXIT BRINGS OUT AN INSPIRING AND EXCITING SAGA OF HOW SELF-DISCIPLINE AND A STRONG COMMITMENT TOWARDS YOUR PASSION, CAN PAVE THE WAY FOR REALISING YOUR ARTISTIC DREAMS. READ ON!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]EDITOR’S NOTE: Astha Dixit is an actress, dancer and choreographer who was born in New Delhi, India and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied computer engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She acted in two hit Indian movies. Being an internationally acclaimed classical Indian danseuse in the art form of Kathak, she is also known for her adaptation of Sufi or devotional dancing. She has done solo performances worldwide and with her own dance company. She inspires others as an actor, influencer, author, life coach and Tedx speaker.

She is the author of her memoirs, titled, ‘Door to Heaven’ (publisher: Zorbabooks) and which is available on many platforms, including Amazon Worldwide and Barnes & Noble.

She is married and resides in the US.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1624010429324{padding-top: 3% !important;padding-bottom: 1% !important;}”][vc_column_text]IS&S: You have been performing prolifically at diverse prestigious platforms. How do you think the ‘response to Indian classical dance forms has evolved in recent times? Any special personal incidences that come to mind?

AD: I think the way of a Classical Indian dancer is to take the audience on an emotional journey and connect with the audience on a deep level. Watching a classical dancer perform is an immersive experience for both the audience and artist. In recent times, with so much emphasis on reels or light fusion dance techniques and getting instant praise on platforms like Instagram or Tik Tok, it’s hard to maintain the discipline and commitment required to do long hours of practice that are required for a dancer to perform solo on stage for over an hour.

For example, in my performance of Sufi poetry (Kathak to Sufi Poetry), I once had a moment where I could hear members in the audience crying because they were touched by the performance. It was such a blissful moment for all of us. This production went for over an hour through five poetries of five different Sufi poet saints and this particular moment came in the middle of the performance on a poetry that was titled Zihal-e-Miskin by Hazrat Amir Khusrau. Since it talked about the longing for the beloved and the poet is almost pleading for an encounter with his/her Beloved, Almighty, Allah, God, I am sitting on the stage pleaing with my hands out. When this composition was performed by me, it left audiences with these similar kinds of emotions. Some members of the audience who had been crying came up and hugged me and thanked me. A lady told me she felt that her life would never be the same again. I can never forget this hug or such moments like these. Such moments in my life emphasized the power of the arts to transform the dancer and the audience alike.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676791947764{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

SELECT VIDEOS OF ASTHA DIXIT

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676791972019{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12369″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/6R4L1WBayxA”][vc_column_text]TEDx speech: “From Pain to Power”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12368″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/1M2ckVbCGTg”][vc_column_text]Kathak to Sufi Poetry[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12370″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/GkwiV7Vc_A8″][vc_column_text]Sufi Amir Khusrau[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676791965901{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12371″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/qbimB_LRSm0″][vc_column_text]Jahan-e-Khusrau with Muzaffar Ali[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12372″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/46D5lBAReJI”][vc_column_text]Jahan-e-Khusrau[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12373″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/_9PYbmTbMaM”][vc_column_text]Kathak at the Baalbeck International Festival in Lebanon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676791980564{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12374″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/wL0wtkMxTnM”][vc_column_text]Beijing Opera House performance at the National Center for Performing Arts in China[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12375″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/ETWTvgYF_44″][vc_column_text]Tutorial: Learning a Kavita (Poetry) on Lord Krishna[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”12376″ img_size=”330×220″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://youtu.be/cN0FlnuT-QY”][vc_column_text]In Search of Love’: Dance Production at Kamani Auditorium[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1676792149900{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1676792103840{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

‘I am most proud of my full-length production, ‘In Search of Love’, which is the first time where I have written, composed, directed, and produced a show.’

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]IS&S: What have been your most enriching experiences as an arts guru and life coach? How has this experience enhanced you as an artist, and as an individual?

AD: As a recognized danseuse/artist, soloist and a choreographer, I have been like a role-model, tour organizer, performer and a liaison with international dance companies and festival organizers all at the same time. Practically, I have been representing my country and touring as a cultural ambassador through the cultural arts scene of India. It has required a lot of effort to coordinate with the international festival organizers or dance operators and to understand their vision and how they see the dance performance as a part of the show.

Given that the choreography is the single most important thing in a show in which I am performing, I never compromise on the quality of the show which I am presenting. I really take the time to understand where I am performing, for whom I am performing, and for what purpose. This has been the most rewarding part of my experience as an Indian classical dancer and choreographer for over 15 years.

Never compromising in maintaining the traditional richness of my art form, but also seeing the performance as a visual aesthetic performance, the performing artist has to think about so many things. First the choreography; I have always focused on bringing to life the music or theme suggested by the organizing party of the festival operator on stage with a unique touch of classical dance with a range of emotions, dance movements, and formations. I was blessed to see a lot of professional choreographies on stage before I started working on my own. Then the costumes have to depict a certain mood with their colors and fabrics and dupattas or scarves and I always choose each one with great care. Then the music, the dance, and the introduction go hand in hand with the performance. And I am most proud of my most recent full length production, ‘In Search of Love’, which is the first time where I have written, composed, directed, and produced a show.

In recent years, I performed on the stage of TEDx where I spoke fervently about my passion and performed on a classical Sufi song. I realized how challenging it is to speak on a topic continuously for over 12 minutes. I narrated to the audience about my passion and love for Indian classical dance and how passion can convert “From Pain to Power”. which was the theme of the conference. Now, I am privileged to work with other dancers, and also to coach other people about finding their life’s purpose.

‘Door to Heaven’ is an assimilation of my experiences as a dancer of international repute, an actress in Tollywood, a computer engineer, a wanderer, and a seeker.’

IS&S: What inspired you to write ‘Door To Heaven – A Memoir’? How did ‘‘Door To Heaven’ take birth and how did it get evolve? Are you planning something similar to ‘‘Door To Heaven’? Kindly give an update.

AD: ‘Door to Heaven’ is an assimilation of my experiences as a dancer of international repute, an actress in Tollywood, a computer engineer, a wanderer, and a seeker. I start this book out by saying that I am no-one, however my experiences have led me to writing this book. It feels as if many lives were lived in one as I was raised from a young age in Los Angeles, California and graduated as a computer engineer from UCLA, one of the prestigious universities of California.

I was very privileged from a young age, however, I chose to become a dancer and an actor in India shortly after these turn of events in my life when I left my lucrative job. The book is a compelling read for anyone who has gone through such periods of struggles, changes, and overcoming the greatest of challenges in their lives. I was inspired to write this book thanks to my experience of over a decade as a choreographer, director, and a performer at opera houses in countries in the Middle East such as Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Bahrain to name a few.(Click here).

In India, I was translating Sufi poetries through my performances in festivals sponsored by the Indian government or the Department of Tourism. Naturally the thought of writing a book came to me as I had had a series of experiences while traveling for my performances as well as many ashrams. It has been so satisfying, like a new feather in my cap to publish my memoirs internationally. Published by Zorbabooks, the book is available on numerous platforms worldwide like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Zorbabooks, Flipkart, Smashwords, Shopclues and Goodreads.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1624012669427{padding-top: 3% !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_gallery interval=”5″ images=”12404,12405,12406,12407,12408,12409″ img_size=”450×360″ onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]IS&S: What are key similarities or dissimilarities between ‘writing’ and ‘dancing’?

AD: Writing is similar to dance in that it’s a form of expression. However while in dance we express through fluidic movements, expressions, and hand gestures, in writing we use the power of words. I am a graduate of computer engineering and I read a lot of books growing up. My speed of writing and typing are very fast and that worked to my advantage. In fact my book was over 300 pages which was truncated to around 208 pages during editing. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]IS&S: How far has your experience and opportunities as a dancer, helped you in alternate careers as an actress, life coach and an author, among others. Is it easy for a good dancer to be a good actor as well?

AD: I loved acting in Tollywood, especially in the two movies in which I was a lead and a supporting lead actress, Chandrahas and Pellaina Kothalo, respectively. Both films featured my dancing in key hit songs. Again dancing brought an advantage to my acting abilities. The directors noticed my talent from the beginning and in fact I think that’s why I was selected in both of these films and given an opportunity to star in Telugu cinema. I also did a number of roles in films, documentaries, and music videos.

IS&S: How do you strike the right balance between practicing / performing dance, teaching dance, writing, taking initiatives to inspire others, and still finding time for yourself?

AD: I think one needs to be self-motivated. To be self-driven, you need to have a burning desire or passion. That is what I talked about in my TEDx speech, titled ‘From Pain to Power’, delivered at a TEDx conference in 2022. Aside from a lot of Kathak pirouettes (chakkars) to lilting melodies in my performance, the crux of my presentation was my speech about my passion which led me to leaving a lucrative career and following my passion for dance and acting.

‘The intrinsic art form has to be maintained by a lot of self-practice and the guru-shishya parampara, which help to develop one into a true artist.’

IS&S: Can technology and social media play a vital role in promoting Indian classical dance forms? Can the arts community or artists in real terms, leverage these to drive their artistic passions forward?

AD: Yes, I think technology has become important and can be a key factor in promoting Indian classical dance forms and making it visible to viewers all over the world. However the intrinsic art form has to be maintained by a lot of self-practice and the guru-shishya parampara, which is the traditional teacher-student bond which helps to develop one into a true artist. One cannot expect that by posting short videos to trending songs, one can become an artist in the truest sense. But yes, I use social media to my advantage to share my dance videos and lessons with others and to also stay connected with the latest trends.

IS&S: Young, talented aspirants seeking instant ‘success’ or ‘recognitions’ by fighting it out in performing arts competitions and / or social media has become the norm of the day? Do you think this is a healthy trend? What would your advice be for such youngsters and their parents?

AD: What I foresee, and I could be wrong, is that these youngsters will feel fulfilled for a short period through such means, but in the long run, they will have to find something more solid and meaningful for themselves.

IS&S: Can performing arts can play a vital role in helping a person excel in other fields or professions? Kindly justify your answer, also could you please relate a personal experience.

AD: I think performing arts are connected to our identity. And when I found that identity through my performances and expressions on screen and on stage, I found a great sense of fulfillment. This can help one excel in anything they choose.

IS&S: What are your ultimate dreams and ambitions in the world of performing arts and in life? What steps are you taking to reach ‘there’?

AD: My dreams and my ambitions are to act and dance and continue sharing my expression of the arts with others. My life is constantly challenging me to find these means of expressions through opportunities for collaborations that come my way. I am currently acting in two films in Los Angeles.

IS&S: Do you feel experimental creative productions are better equipped to give a social or inspirational message more effectively? Kindly justify your answer?

AD: Right before the pandemic hit, I created my own experimental full length one-hour dance production. It took nine months to a year and I worked very hard in conceiving and staging this idea at a world-class auditorium. It was called “In Search of Love” and the theme of the production is to share a social message of Love with others to bring our communities together and redefine our ideas around Love, inspired by poets like Rumi. In fact there is an entire chapter in my book towards the end that talks about this process.

IS&S: And finally, your message for aspiring artsiest.

AD:I am proud to have chosen dance and acting. Choosing your passion is a privilege and I am sure that you will too have this feeling, if you choose something you love. Be brave, be wise, and be the weaver of your own dreams.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1624011263768{padding-top: 3% !important;padding-bottom: 3% !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1474355814165{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

CONNECT WITH ASTHA DIXIT ON

Website | Instagram | Facebook Page I Facebook Profile I Facebook Dance Company I YouTube I IMDB

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? WRITE TO US AT

support@indiansoundsandteps.com

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]