Ruchira profiles Sohini Debnath, a promising Kathak danseuse. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Anyone who watches this comely lady performing on stage is bound to be enthralled.  Everything about her rendition – the fluid yet graceful body movements, impeccably accurate footwork, flawless swirls and rhythmic whirls – leave the viewers spellbound. It is delightful to see her glide effortlessly all over the stage. Above all the pair of deep dark eyes enhances her charm. Sohini Debnath is a talented danseuse, who has carved a niche for herself in the arena of Kathak a popular classical dance form of north India.

Sohini Debnath is a talented danseuse, who has carved a niche for herself in the arena of Kathak a popular classical dance form of north India.

A distinguished pupil of the legendary Kolkata-based maestro, Padmashree Guru Rani Karna, Sohini is currently the Artistic Director of Samskritiki Shreyaskar, her mentor’s Kathak Academy. She is also a faculty of Sangeet Online Music and Dance School, besides a Grade-A solo artist with Doordarshan.  I had an opportunity to witness Sohini’s performance in the national capital nearly three years ago. After the function, she readily agreed to a tête-à-tête about her life, career, hopes and dreams. Her sweet voice and a refreshing child-like quality were impressive. She exuded confidence in every fibre of her persona.

Sohini has a chequered graph both in terms of academics and profession.  Hers is an urbane Bengali middle-class family steeped in academics, literature and music. No wonder her loving uncle, a scholar and educator, named her after the feisty, iconic female protagonist of Tagore’s short story, Laboratory. It is also the name of a Raaga. An alumnus of the elite Presidency College (now university), Sohini majored in geography, followed a master’s degree in Kathak from Kolkata’s Rabindra Bharati  University. She obtained a junior diploma in Kathak and Odissi and pre-diploma in Hindustani Classical Music from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.

Her turning point in life came when Sohini began training under the tutelage of Rani Karna. Thence, there was no looking back. Lovingly nurtured by the Diva, she blossomed into a versatile dancer. Though she had performed publicly as a teenager yet her first full-fledged solo recital came, in 2007, during her twenties.

Her turning point in life came when Sohini began training under the tutelage of Rani Karna. Thence, there was no looking back. Lovingly nurtured by the Diva, she blossomed into a versatile dancer. Though she had performed publicly as a teenager yet her first full-fledged solo recital came, in 2007, during her twenties. It was such a blessing to have her Guruji on stage with her and conducting everything, she fondly recalls. Some milestones in her journey include recitals at the prestigious  Konarak Festival, Orissa, Kalidas Samaroh, Nagpur, Lucknow Mahotsav, U.P. Khajuraho Festival, among many.

Her passion for dance led Sohini to spread her wings beyond the shores of her native land and give scintillating presentations on global platforms, (under the aegis of ICCR and Sangeet Natak Akdemi).  From Germany, France, Sweden, and Switzerland, to Mauritius, South Africa and Bangladesh, she has been there and done it all.

Her passion for dance led Sohini to spread her wings beyond the shores of her native land and give scintillating presentations on global platforms, (under the aegis of ICCR and Sangeet Natak Akdemi).  From Germany, France, Sweden, and Switzerland, to Mauritius, South Africa and Bangladesh, she has been there and done it all.

Why dance? I ask (for the simple reason that most culturally inclined Bengali women prefer vocal music to dance). Pat comes the reply, “I started at a very early age with both singing and dancing, majorly because of my mother. My mother holds a master’s degree in music and her siblings are efficient singers. She encouraged me to continue with performing arts even in higher classes. At that point, most people drop out but luckily I escaped.”

She adds after a pause, “As I grew up, I took to dance quite organically. My love for dance is definitely not because one can dress up and look beautiful and wear makeup. I can express myself better and find me completely involved with the subject and I am fortunate to be able to pursue it as my profession”.

I prod her further, “What does Kathak mean to you?”

“Kathak is my medium of communication. I think I can express all those unsaid feelings… those finer emotions…which I am unable to express, otherwise through spoken language. Kathak is my source of livelihood. Whatever little I have been able to do is because of dance…”

She replies candidly, “Kathak is my medium of communication. I think I can express all those unsaid feelings… those finer emotions…which I am unable to express, otherwise through spoken language. Kathak is my source of livelihood. Whatever little I have been able to do is because of dance. It has allowed me to know myself, understand my body, gain control over my mind to a certain degree. It is because of dance that I have known the world, had the opportunity to see places, perform worldwide, meet people, interact with them. It is such an amazing and uplifting experience…”

Additionally, Sohini dabbles in choreography for numerous musicals. She assisted her Guruma in choreographing productions based on Tagore’s lyrics, and dance dramas.  Recognitions and honours came easily. She secured the first position in the prestigious Dover Lane Talent Search Contest, Kolkata, won EZCC Gold Medal (Governor’s Gold Medal) for outstanding performance in  Classical Dance Competition held under the Government of India Scheme Zonal Level (2004). The same year, she received a National Scholarship from the Government of India.

When not dancing, Sohini loves to cook and enjoy her favourite dishes. Her shapely figure gives the lie to her self-confessed weakness for sweets!  She enjoys travelling, reading, going for long walks and chilling out with close friends. Daydreaming is another favourite pastime.  

When not dancing, Sohini loves to cook and enjoy her favourite dishes. Her shapely figure gives the lie to her self-confessed weakness for sweets!  She enjoys travelling, reading, going for long walks and chilling out with close friends. Daydreaming is another favourite pastime.

Sohini is back after a visit to Japan, and is bubbling with enthusiasm about her unique upcoming project titled, ‘Three & a Half’. For this, she has teamed up with her senior, friend, and confidante (read soulmate) Debashree Bhattacharya and Takafumi Mori, a western classical pianist of Japanese origin. The threesome with their individual perception of melody, rhythm and movement displays the space of performance, individually and together, exploring the depths of beauty and the many dimensions of experience offered by their respective art forms. A glowing example of how melody and rhythm bring strangers close together.

Photos sourced by the author.