
Dance is the best way I express myself: Kinjal Rajpriya
Dance is the best way I express myself,' says
Kinjal Rajpriya
, whose inclination towards dance and music 'has been constant since childhood'. On
International Dance Day
, the 3 Ekka and Shu Thayu? actor joined us for a shoot where she performed her favourite dance moves and shared stories about being a disciple of the late
Kumudini Lakhia
, why she loves dancing and more.
'I won a lot of dance trophies for my school'
At a very young age, Kinjal realised her love for music and dancing thanks to her parents. She says, 'My parents would give me a particular beat, and I used to dance on it. I eventually joined Kathak classes and was also known as a dancer in my school. I have won many trophies and dance competitions for my school.'
She adds, 'I realised pretty early that as compared to other art forms, dancing is the best way I express myself. It has helped me get over stage fear as well. Also, dancing helps me empty myself when things feel overwhelming. There are many emotions like love, happiness, sadness, or anger, which I convey best through dance. It is like my therapy (smiles).'
'I love dancing on Krishna bhajans'
Kinjal enjoys dancing on songs about Lord Krishna's life
Asked about her favourite genre of dance, Kinjal says, 'I love dancing on Krishna bhajans and songs about Lord Krishna's life. Iss ek dance form mein hi bahot saare bhava hai. Iss mein Meera (Mirabai) ka, Radha ka, Rukmini ka, Yashoda ka aur khud Krishna ka bhi bhava hai. I find my most joyful self while dancing to such songs, as it allows me to express the navarasas together.'
'I have learnt a lot from Kumiben'
Kinjal learnt Kathak at the
Kadamb Centre for Dance
, which was founded by the late Kumudini Lakhia. Kinjal, who fondly calls her Kumiben, shares, 'While I learnt Kathak from different teachers, Kumiben used to visit occasionally. While interacting with us, she would say, 'You dance for yourself, and not for the audience.' She also told us, 'Enjoying dancing from within and outside will be the reflection of your expression.' I would write all these things in my journal and still look back at those notes when I can. I learnt a lot from her.'
She says, "Dance helps you gain flexibility of mind, body, and thoughts, and gives you a sense of liberation. It allows you to break a lot of barriers," adding, "I wish every child would learn classical dance or classical music. While other dance forms are good too,
classical dance forms
would help them to understand our roots, mythology and learn so many rasas."
"I hope
Gujarati films
explore classical dance forms soon, or make them a part of storytelling," Kinjal concludes.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
When Panchayat actor Raghubir Yadav was accused of having extra-marital affairs with Nandita Das and Sanjay Mishra's wife
Panchayat actor Raghubir Yadav is among the finest talents Indian cinema has ever seen. Debuted with Massey Sahib, the actor has consistently proven his worth. However, he never received his due until the release of TVF's Panchayat. Not many know that multiple controversies have marred his personal life. Here's taking you down memory lane when the actor made headlines for his extramarital affairs. Raghubir Yadav was married to Poornima Kharga, an International former Kathak dancer. However, the couple started living separately in 1995, seven years after their marriage. What sparked a new controversy was Poornima's allegations against Raghubir Yadav. Back in 2020, Poornima filed for divorce after 32 years of their marriage and demanded a total of Rs 10 crore in alimony. When Poornima Kharga accused Raghubir Yadav of extra-marital affairs In an interview with SpotboyE, Poornima accused his estranged husband of having extramarital affairs with Nandita Das and Sanjay Mishra's wife, Roshni Achreja. She blasted in the interview and claimed that the two are fathering a 14-year-old son and are in a live-in relationship. Poornima said, "Raghubir is living-in with Sanjay Mishra's wife Roshni Achreja. He himself has admitted in Court. They have a 14-year-old son!" The Kathak dancer revealed that when Raghubir shifted to Goregaon, he lived in the same building as Sanjay Mishra. He used to visit Mishra and got friendly with his wife, Roshni Achreja. Further, she got pregnant with Yadav's child, after which she and Sanjay Mishra filed for divorce. Further, Poornima mentioned that Raghubir Yadav was also in a relationship with actor and director Nandita Das. She went on to reveal that the two fell in love on Raj Barot's show when they were both together. Raghubir and Poornima have a 30-year-old son together, who has been living with his mother ever since the duo parted ways. For the unversed, Raghubir Yadav has worked in highly acclaimed movies and TV Shows like Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne, Salaam Bombay, Maya Memsaab, Bandit Queen, Lagaan, Water, Peepli Live, and others. Three of his films even got nominations at the Academy Awards- Salaam Bombay, Lagaan, and Water. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.


Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
'Stop villainizing Bengaluru...': Viral video shows what happens when you speak Hindi instead of Kannada in Bangalore, internet can't keep calm
Bengaluru, India's tech hub, grapples with linguistic harmony. A video by Deesha Umesh highlights biases faced by Hindi speakers. The satire sparks debate about language, identity, and acceptance. Deesha, a Gujarati doctor raised in Bengaluru, uses humor to address cultural sensitivities. Public reactions are divided, reflecting the complexities of migration and respect. The video encourages dialogue in the diverse city. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who Is Deesha Umesh? Reactions from the Public: Divided but Thoughtful Bengaluru, often dubbed India's tech capital, is more than a hub of innovation and start-ups. It's also a melting pot of cultures, where people from every corner of the country come together to live, work, and build new lives. But beneath this vibrant blend lies a sensitive, long-running discussion around language, identity, and a city where both Kannada and Hindi speakers coexist in large numbers, the question of linguistic harmony, and sometimes tension, remains part of everyday life. And now, a playful yet pointed video has brought this topic right back into the video in question, shared on Reddit and Instagram, is titled 'What North Indians Think Bangaloreans Do Every Day.' Created by content creator Deesha Umesh, it uses humour to explore the subtle biases that language can invite in a culturally diverse city like the video, Deesha plays an over-the-top version of a local Bengalurean who seems unusually hostile towards anyone speaking in Hindi. For instance, she acts friendly and helpful when addressed in Kannada, but flips to rude and dismissive the moment someone switches to Hindi. One scene has her offering mangoes at Rs 50, only to charge Rs 500 when a Hindi-speaking customer approaches. In another moment, she coldly ignores a request for directions in Hindi, but warmly embraces someone who apologises in Kannada after bumping into clearly exaggerated for effect, the sketch ends with a strong message: language often becomes more than just a way to communicate, it can shape how people treat one the woman behind this viral satire isn't a native Kannada speaker herself. Deesha Umesh is a Gujarati-born doctor, raised entirely in Bengaluru, who has now turned into a full-time content creator. Known for her fluent Kannada and down-to-earth content, she has amassed a following of over 230,000 people on Instagram. Her viral video has already racked up more than 380,000 likes across platforms, drawing applause for both its wit and cultural comment sections under the post became a space for reflection. Some users resonated deeply with the message, sharing personal experiences. One said, 'Many Hindi-speaking people born in Bengaluru still avoid learning the local language.' Others argued the portrayal was too extreme, insisting they had never faced such behaviour. A few even called it out as an overblown narrative, while others shared unsettling stories of being excluded or ignored for speaking in wide range of responses proves one thing: this conversation is far from its core, the video touches on the emotional layers of migration, belonging, and respect. Bengaluru has always been welcoming, but like any rapidly growing city, it has had to reckon with the challenges that come with diversity, especially when it comes to language. While humour can't fix deep-seated issues, it often helps open doors for more honest people from across India continue to make Bengaluru their home, one thing remains clear: understanding, respect, and a few words in the local language can go a long from TOI


The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
Namami Narayanam retells stories of Krishna through Mohiniyattam
In a performance that shimmered with a quiet elegance and spiritual resonance, Namami Narayanam, a Mohiniyattam dance production, choreographed by guru Shruthi Shoby, was presented at Mylapore Fine Arts Club, as part of the Abbas Cultural Dance Drama Festival. Performed by Shruthi and her disciples from Srishti School of Classical Dance, the thematic production unfolded five timeless stories, themed on Krishna. The strength of this production lay, not in grandeur or opulence, but in its simplicity. The choreography used minimal props, allowing the audience to enjoy fluid movement vocabulary and nuanced abhinaya. that characterise this dance form. The seamless blend of classical compositions in Malayalam, heightened the emotional appeal. The evening opened with the tale of Dhruva, the boy who, abandoned by his father (King Uttanapada) and insulted by his stepmother (Suruchi), undertakes an intense penance to win the grace of Narayana. The portrayal of childlike longing, rejection and divine blessing was moving, with the dancer's restrained expressions evoking Dhruva's unwavering determination. This was followed by the poignant story of Ajamila, a fallen Brahmin, who, despite his moral decline, attains salvation through the inadvertent utterance of the lord's name. The redemptive power of faith and surrender, highlighted during the performance, was a recurring theme throughout the evening. The narrative deepened with the story of Pingala, a courtesan, who renounces worldly pleasures to pursue spiritual awakening. This segment was particularly impactful, as the lead dancer captured both the opulence of Pingala's former life and the serenity that prevailed after her transformation. A dramatic shift in tone came with the fourth story, that of Santana Gopalan, which usually refers to Krishna's birth in challenging circumstances and his early life that was filled with challenges. It symbolises how the infant lord protects and helps one overcome struggles with ease. In this production, the dancer depicted the desperation of a Brahmin grieving over the loss of his children, Arjuna's ego-driven vow and Krishna's eventual intervention. The duet between Arjuna and Krishna, brought out with controlled intensity, was one of the high points of the evening. The finale was a visual treat — Kalinga Narthana — where Krishna dances upon the serpent Kalinga's hoods. This scene was executed with a balance of theatricality and technical finesse, as the dancer's graceful footwork and expressive control brought alive the symbolic subjugation of the ego. The performance was elevated by a well-coordinated team — choreography, concept and nattuvangam are by guru Shruthi Shoby, musicby Thrissur Krishnakumar, lyrics by Kalamandalam Ganeshan, background score and rhythm are by Nagarajan, vocals by Sudev Warrier, violin by Anand Lal and edakka by Thrissur Krishnakumar. Minimalistic yet evocative, Namami Narayanam was a celebration of bhakti through dance and a reminder that grace often lies in restraint.