2. Love, Hope, & Riyaaz: the Gifts of Dance with Sunena Gupta, Kathak dancer Dance to Inspire

My guest today is a dedicated Kathak dancer and public policy researcher. She directed and toured a dance theater production called “Umeed: Colors of Hope” in cities around the world. In this episode, we speak about how her dance journey has brought her the 3 treasures of love, hope, and riyaaz. Riyaaz is an Urdu word, often translated as “practice.” In Indian classical dance, it’s the daily nurturing of one's art form, an ongoing journey where one discovers the gifts of dance.  It's with great joy to have this chat with the lovely and multi-talented Sunena Gupta.



0:00 About our guest Sunena Gupta

1:05 Riyaaz

5:26 Passion for both dance and social work

7:43 Choreographing on contemporary themes

9:30 Vulnerability when performing

11:19 Umeed (Hope)

18:39 Choreography process

23:42 Improvising on stage

24:32 Teaching Kathak

27:44 Advice to younger self

28:46 Most important thing learned from dance teacher

29:56 Why are you dedicated to dance?

31:39 Gratitude

33:12 Self-love



Connect with Sunena Gupta

Instagram @sunenagupta

Website sunenagupta.com



Dance to Inspire Podcast

Podcast host @MimidiLuna

Website mimidiluna.wixsite.com/website