![\"Interview:](\"http:\/\/familife.in\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2016\/03\/prudipto.png\")
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India has classical dance forms that go back centuries. Yet there is a limited audience\u00a0for dance performances. Can a dance lover make a living in this environment? FamiLife’s Prerna Puri spoke\u00a0with Kumar Prudipto, who works at Kathak Kendre, headed by Krishan Maharj, the head of the department at the\u00a0<\/span>National Institute of Kathak Dance in New Delhi<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n After performing in many festivals and occasions in India as well as abroad , Prudipto\u00a0is also running his own institute, Samarpan Kala Kendre.<\/span><\/p>\n How long have you been\u00a0a dancer?<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s been 17 years. I took\u00a0a break of 5 yrs in between as a result of societal pressure, during which time I had taken a job in Railways.<\/span><\/p>\n Tell us about your story. How has your journey been till now and where would you like to reach?<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I have been a passionate dancer since my younger days.\u00a0However, since I \u00a0belong to a family of government officials, I was not encouraged\u00a0to take dance as my career. After facing a lot of family pressure, I gave my exams for the Railways and got a job. I worked for 5 years and was not happy.\u00a0<\/span>I then decided I should take a break to figure out what was lacking. <\/span><\/p>\n Since I am a Bengali, the dance touch was retained and I started practicing more since that made me happy.\u00a0<\/span>After practicing for 1.5 years and attaining a\u00a0professional degree, I just continued to do what I loved, and I am now pursuing a better career. For me, my love and passion for dance drove me and it still does today.\u00a0I am still learning, and classical is a huge field where a lot can be done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What changes\u00a0have you seen in this field in your years here?<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The percentage of students participating in classical is lesser now, but the field has loyal students who are passionate. Among those who learn\u00a0western dance, people switch from hip hop to jazz to contemporary. Our students prefer going more deep into a culturally integrated dance form.<\/span><\/p>\n There are still pockets and communities in India that retain the culture of classical dance.<\/span><\/p>\n There are particularly two sectors that practice classical very diligently and they are:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>South India<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bengal<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Orissa<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n What is one style\u00a0that is evergreen among the various\u00a0classical dance forms?<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n All the 8 styles\u00a0in classical dance are equally asked for. For higher professionalism, it\u2019s good to learn all styles. The styles are:<\/span><\/p>\n 1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Bharatnatyam<\/span><\/p>\n 2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kuchipudi<\/span><\/p>\n 3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kathak<\/span><\/p>\n 4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kathakali<\/span><\/p>\n 5.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Manipuri<\/span><\/p>\n 6.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Mohiniattyam<\/span><\/p>\n 7.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Oddisi<\/span><\/p>\n 8.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Sattriya<\/span><\/p>\n What do you think about dance as a profession in India?<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Classical dance has its birth\u00a0in India, it has culture attached to it. Even though Western culture is taking over in many sectors, classical gives the best platforms to perform in India.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has a separate sector where it teaches NRI\u2019s classical dance and give scholarships as well.<\/span><\/p>\n