Pranjali Chauhan - I Have Been Dancing Since The Day I Was Born (Dancer)

Whenever I find myself lost, helpless or in a situation where I don't understand why I am in it, I think about the power of my thoughts and empower myself with positive affirmations.

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I am a 26-year-old eco-stats graduate from St. Xaviers' College, a proud daughter of an Indian Naval officer. I am a professional dancer, choreographer, model and an emerging artist. I am also heading PR for an agro-based startup called Hopfenbauer Farms.

I switched my career from a Business Intelligence Analyst to Dance in 2016 and there is no looking back ever since. I started training myself in styles like Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Latin dancing and kept pushing through the initial years. 

Just when I felt I was almost at my peak in the academy as a dancer and instructor, I had an ACL tear in my knee and was on bed rest for 2 months. In my period of recovery (which is still ongoing), I started exploring different creative sides of me- from writing a script with a dear friend to performing it to the theatre to paints to modelling to TVCs. 

I did everything which was not very taxing on my knee. Since the lockdown, I have been taking online dance and fitness classes to keep people active and motivated.


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

I have been dancing since the day I was born! As a 4-year-old, I would move to all kinds of music on the radio. In school, I was always a part of the dance performing team on Annual days and every special event. But I never undertook any kind of training because my parents thought I was a natural. 

In college as well, I was a part of the World Performing Arts events and stood 2nd in Malhar- Illuminati event. I wanted to become a choreographer after watching Indian Reality Shows, back in 2008, since we were only exposed to that and Bollywood movies in terms of dance. 

A hidden, burning passion within me, I only had the guts to go and train myself after working in a startup for a year while constantly reading about following your passion and having "no regrets" when you turn 30! I was later exposed to different styles and decided to not stick to what comes to me naturally and try my hand in western dances.

So I quit my job and started training myself at a renowned dance academy in Mumbai.


3. Who is your favourite dancer and why?

Honestly, I have way too many favourites!! There is always a special something that can be taken away from each and every one of them- from their technique to their ease of movement, to their expression to their skills. I look up to a lot of professional dancers in India and abroad.


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

There are quite a few opportunities available, as opposed to the typical Indian notion that 'dance happens just on Reality TV shows'.

• Performer, Movement Artist/Model in Brand shows, Events, TVCs, Print media, Movie shoots, etc.
• Choreographer for above mentioned as well as for schools/colleges/universities who take extra-curricular seriously
• Trainer/Teacher for emerging dancers and beginners for hobby interests
• Dance Movement Therapist
• Dance judges for shows
• Dance/movement photographer/videographer since they understand the field better
• Costume designer as they understand how dancer's bodies move and what is more comfortable
• Working in Arts administration, marketing and events for a company/theatre

I personally feel some dancers and teachers can also become a fitness and life coach.


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

In my opinion, natural talent can only take you so far. Training is very important, it can take your dancing to a whole new level. It is the only way to improve yourself, work on your technique, become a better performer and more mindful towards your body. It will also help you to dance longer and be more aware of your body and movement. Training is a must!


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

I would urge artists to formally train (if they can) and surround themselves with people who uplift, motivate and help them to become a better version of themselves. 

There will be a lot of times where they will find themselves questioning their existence, compare and undermine themselves. But let that not get in the way, everyone is on their own journey. Embrace your journey and keep at it. Consistency is the key to exceed yourself in any art form!


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I feel The Secret by Rhonda Bryne will be my top favourite. Whenever I find myself lost, helpless or in a situation where I don't understand why I am in it, I think about the power of my thoughts and empower myself with positive affirmations. They have helped me a lot especially in these hard times.


- Pranjali Chauhan (Dance, Choreographer & Actor)

Eco-Stats Graduate with distinction in first-class from St. Xaviers’ College, Mumbai (2015) Worked as a business analyst for a year at Talentmetrix (2016) Trained at The Danceworx Performing Arts Academy, Mumbai, India, under the director Mr Ashley Lobo in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Urban. Ballet with Yehuda Maor, Contemporary with Yuko Harada, from 2016-2018. Currently representing an all styles dance crew, House of Rhythm and freelancing.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranjalichauhan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pranjoyy/
Website: https://everythingatonceweb.wordpress.com/


Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani