"Dance Is Music Made Visible" - Vanshika Arora

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1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

Coming from an ICSE school, everyone expected me to be a studious one. Though I used to take interest in each and every activity other than studies (I was an average one). A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I work in the same industry too. Talking about the journey, it started way back and no road is smooth enough, neither is mine. The biggest challenge for me is to make a good balance between my family, work, and passion. My family is super supportive stood by me in every decision but due to some external forces, it took time for me to cover the distance. But hard work is the key, and that’s what I am doing since the beginning. 

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?

Even I don’t remember, It just happened like a flow. I remember waking up at 6 in the summer vacations to go to the dance classes when I was a kid. Maybe, that time I didn’t realize its not a hobby it's my passion. 

Talking about how I started it, in college I used to perform in the fests. Soon, I was filled with energy, when I saw people loving my performance. I started to train myself in the nights and make videos in the day. I didn’t know that someday, I would be able to teach other people.

3. Who is your favorite dancer and why?

No artist is an artist without the dedication, determination, and hard work. I adore and admire many artists in my field. But my favorite one is the founder and mother bom of Bomsquad official, Svetlana Kanwar. Many people might not know her. But those who know, they love her. Her style, her story, her hard work, and her strong nature makes her a hell of an artist and woman. 

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer?

As a dancer or artist, there is a bunch of opportunities outside now. In this social media era, anyone who is popular even on the networking platforms can get huge exposure. Though, one should know, what and when to grab. One can opt for becoming a trainer, choreographer, performer, or Youtuber. A dancer can do anything given, if they do it with sincerity, and wanna pursue it as a profession. 

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

We know ‘Talent speaks’ but then being talented doesn’t mean you should not learn. There is no saturation level of learning and becoming a better version of yourself. However there are technicalities that one needs to learn, so yeah formal training is required, that's how you understand the small little flaws and work on them to improve. There is always a scope of improvement.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists? 

There is only one advice that I can give never give up, I know the way isn't easy, but remember the destination is beautiful, and the journey will surely be exciting. So, while you are on the way, you might face situations that would go unbearable, you might think of giving it up, you would feel demotivated and disappointed, right then remind yourself of the destination and why you started it all, and never give up. Also, work hard and be consistent. Be dedicated! 

7. Which is your favorite book and why? 

There is a long list of my favorite books, but I like Dance Composition by Jacqueline M. Smith-Autard the most. I love this book because, it has things one would want to understand and learn, anyways, dance is what I read about too.

- Vanshika Arora, Dancer at Dance Vance

- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan