Meet the Kathak queen

Mangala Bhatt might be a very famous dancer in the city, but the danseuse, like many other artistes started off with a simple beginning. Today, decades later, she has come a long, but she still remains the same — humble.

Q When did you start learning Kathak and when did you give your first stage performance?
I was always interested in dance. However, my professional training began when I was 18 years, in Delhi. But, my first performance was when I was 19. I was a little nervous, but the gravity of the situation never hit me then... now when I look back I realise how important it was. (laughs)

Q Who is your inspiration?
My guru Pandit Durga Lal. He was the one who pushed me to chase my dreams and inspired me to do better. Even today, though he is no more, I can feel his presence and I know he is looking out for me.

Q A turning point in life?
There are many moments. One of them however is when I joined the National Institute of Kathak, that was when I started fulfilling my dreams of dancing. The other moment has to be when I met my guru Pandit Durga Lal.

Q Do you have any regrets?
No. I’m a very spiritual person and I try to live a life free of regrets.

QWhere do you see yourself five years from now?
I see myself doing much more for the society through dance. I want to give back to the society and one way of doing so, would be by building a connection between youngsters and dance. I also want to collaborate with many more international artistes and work on dance productions.