KAMINI SHEVGAONKAR, a performing artist, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about how after working in the corporate sector she decided to pursue her passion as an artist

• How did you get interested in dancing?

I am a first generation dancer. It was my mother who put me into extra-curricular activities when I was five. Before moving to Mumbai, I was in Bengaluru and was fortunate to find a dance teacher and learnt classical dance. I trained in Bharatnatyam for the next eight years.

• You did your BE/MBA and worked in the corporate sector. What made you pursue the performing arts?

Yes, I worked in the corporate sector for three-and-a-half years. A certain stage came and I did some soul searching. I was a trained dancer and decided to pursue my passion professionally. I was 30 when I quit my job. I started formal training when I learnt acting and filmmaking

• Tell us about Actor Prepares.

It is an acting school founded by Anupam Kher. I had the experience of being on the stage because of dance but theatre was totally different. I wanted to learn the basics and enrolled for the school. I got an opportunity to be part of Hindi theatre and was part of a theatre group for a couple of years. I was fascinated and decided to be part of this industry be it in front of the camera behind it. I went to New York to learn filmmaking.

• How would you describe yourself?

I am a lot of things. Overall, I am a simple soul with an amalgamation of dance, expressions, a teacher and somebody who is interested in telling stories. It is not just to tell stories but to tell them in a manner where I can bring about a change.

• How has art changed you as a person?

The importance of performing art is undermined in India. In my opinion, every person should learn some sort of art. The corporate world is a rigid template, you have to do what is needed. Performing arts, on the other hand, is fluid; there is no template. You learn the depth of emotions, you become more confident, you learn to be liberal, makes you humble and you are more open to criticism.

• Why have you pushed yourself as an artist?

Yes. When I decided to pursue art as a profession I wanted to know where I could reach. As a dancer, an artist grows subconsciously but as time went by and I took up performing art as career and things unfolded, I realised I could do a lot more. An artist is not just about performing, she is about learning and unlearning. There was so much I learnt — to be a film-maker and artist educator. I took advice from mentors as I went along.

• How tough is it to don so many hats?

I would say that my performing streak is stronger since I have been on the stage since I was five. However, I love to be behind the camera as well. So acting, dance and music in this order are what I love.

• Tell us about your short film.

I collaborated for an Indo-American Marathi film. I was an assistant director for the project. My latest short film was in honour of an astrophysicist — a documentary on him and the revolution of the telescope. This was a film for an organisation. I make independent films for my You Tube channel.

• What is the one lesson that students must learn?

As an artist, a student should learn to empathise. He should appreciate other’s efforts and be able to take criticism positively.