Tantalising tenets: Dancers and musicians

Granny’s favourite dish….
My Dida’s luchis stuffed with peas and spices and payesh on my birthday are my favourites!
How would you react when you meet your mentor or role model?       
I’m starstruck and talk way too much and ask far too many questions, as if every second is precious. I have to squeeze as much as I can out of those seconds as possible.
What would you seek when going through a low phase in life?
My mom always told me that cheering up is in my own hands. When I’m down, she always told me to dress up a little and put on some kajal and lipstick and feel good about myself or I just go out to watch shows or have a tall glass of cold coffee with whipped cream with people I love.
Was dancing the initial plan?                                
No, it wasn’t. I was born into dance and I always loved it... But as far as the decision to do it full-time is concerned, it just kind of crept up on me. At some point, I looked at my life and it was the only thing that I wanted to spend my life doing.
You’re a writer too, how did that happen?
I’ve been writing since I was in high school. I wrote for magazines in school and college and went on to get experience writing for the UNEP magazine and science journals. Writing is my second love after dance. I work for a great and supportive company called Houzify, and it’s something I can do any time and from anywhere so it’s perfect  as a supplement to my dancing ambitions.
A childhood memory still fresh…                         
My parents and grandparents always helped me enjoy the little things. Be it walks through parks with my Aja who’d secretly buy me those lethal orange ice lollies, or hugging big loaves of bread instead of stuffed animals or my dad hanging me upside down. Good times!
People that have inspired you the most?
I’m inspired by lots of people. My parents, friends who have achieved big and small things, senior dancers I look up to and mentors from school and college who inspired me.
Favourite actor or actress of the 90s
SRK all the way!
The craziest pick-up line ever                         
I’m told I have a fairly forbidding face. Sadly, no one has ever tried a pick-up line on me.
One actor who makes you go weak in the knees
Hugh Grant.

— as told to Ruth Prarthana