No words can do justice to the legacy of Dr Sonal Mansingh, who continues to inspire all – including Gen Z – even at the age of 81. Opening up about her journey, the legend admits that while her dance “has been shaped by struggle, resilience and an abiding love for art and culture; looking back, all I see is a life dedicated to cultural awakening.” Speaking to indianexpress.com, the Bharatanatyam guru gets candid about being a dancer in India, passing on her legacy, working with the younger generation, and more. Read the edited excerpts below:

Sonal Mansingh: I feel deeply grateful. These years have been a journey of dance, learning, giving, and evolution. The honours and laurels, from awards and recognitions to acknowledging not just my own work but decades of faith in Indian classical arts, the students I have taught, and the many collaborators who supported me. My dance has been shaped by struggle, resilience and an abiding love for art and culture. Looking back, I see a life lived in service of tradition, creativity, and a broader cultural awakening.

Sonal Mansingh: I am truly honoured to be the chairperson of the Nalanda Literature Festival. Nalanda has always stood for wisdom, openness, and the meeting of many new ideas, so being a part of this festival feels very natural to me. I commend Ganga Kumar and his hard-working team, who have put their hearts into this festival. Their dedication to keeping Nalanda’s legacy alive shows in every detail. This year is special because it brings back the old spirit of Nalanda, where ideas and art naturally come together. It is great to see people, especially the younger ones, finding their own connections to traditions; it gives me immense joy. When literature, music and dance share the same space, they create warmth that stays with you and reaffirms why festivals like this are special.

Sonal Mansingh: At Nalanda, we will share a piece that mixes classical music, dance and stories. It’s dear to me because it reminds me of how much of our heritage and emotion is carried through art. I want the audience to feel that these traditions are still alive. When they’re done with sincerity, they reach every heart, young and old.

A post shared by Sonal Mansingh (@mansingh.sonal)

Sonal Mansingh: Gen Z are sharp, curious and very open when something truly interests them. Once they connect with classical dance, they give it their full attention. When they encounter classical dance in the right way, they respond with genuine curiosity. They like to explore, question and understand, and that works in favour of traditional arts. With a little guidance, they bring fresh energy to classical forms without losing respect for the tradition, which gives me a lot of hope.

Sonal Mansingh: Yes. I teach many young students today, including a lot from Gen Z. Their slang and jokes are new to me, but that isn’t important. What I value is their energy, their willingness to learn and the new perspective they bring into the room. Their curiosity keeps the art form alive and moving forward.

I encourage them to bring their own voices and linguistic sensibilities into dance, as long as they remain rooted in discipline, respect for tradition, and an understanding of deeper aesthetics.

Sonal Mansingh: Literature festivals are still significant, even in a world of short videos and quick scrolling. These events give people the time and space to really listen, think and talk. They create a feeling of community that we don’t get online. Most of all, they help us stay connected to our cultural roots, which need attention and patience.

Sonal Mansingh: I feel fortunate to be able to carry on this ancient art form, bringing emotions and ideas to life through movement and music. I really enjoy teaching young students since, through them, I see this continuous thread of art. For me, dance is a lifelong journey of sharing, learning, and fulfilment – a way to touch hearts and keep our heritage alive. To be a dancer in India, with such a rich and meaningful tradition, is truly a blessing. Dance is a medium wherein I can connect with people and bring our stories to life.