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Aanchal Saxena Kannan On How She Discovered Kathak After Turning Mom

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Tara Khandelwal
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Aanchal Saxena Kannan On How She Discovered Kathak After Turning Mom

Aanchal Saxena Kannan is a Kathak dancing mom and baker who isn't afraid to follow her passion. This 37-year-old mom started Kathak just 6 years ago, just after the birth of her daughter. She had been a television show presenter who had also started her own baking business Aanchal's Kitchen.

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As a child, Aanchal's her parents encouraged her to follow her dreams. Even though they were both doctors, they told her she should follow whatever she desired. 

She always wanted to learn Kathak, and always felt it was too late to start, given that most students start learning the dance form at the age of 6. Aanchal had trained in different styles of dance and even used to dance during college days.

While she was working as a presenter, she had never had the time to train for Kathak. But one fine day, she woke up and decided that she was going to do it. Aanchal got hold of her guru Nutan Patwardhan and has been consistent about her training ever since

Her routine 

You have to start from the basics, she says. Aanchal learns in a group class and when she first started, she used to dance alongside 6 and 7-year-olds.

"No matter how old you are, you can never stop learning dance. Even my Tai says she is still learning even though she has been dancing for 45 years," she says. "I chose Kathak because I have always been a fan of the dance form. I got the chance to do it with a fantastic teacher. It is so different -- very traditional. You have to wear a kurta, dupatta, have to touch your guru’s feet -- these are things that are being forgotten. I love that there is so much respect for the art and that the dance is so graceful," she says.

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Nothing makes her happier than performing for her family.

She says that unlike other classes, her Tai makes her do a lot of footwork, which is the most important aspect of Kathak. 

Kathak is her anchor and she is happy she discovered her passion, albeit a bit late.

"Kathak has made me happier. It has made me believe that its never too late to learn. If you really want to do something, you can do it. Nothing should stop you," she says. 

Also Read: Mallika Sarabhai shatters Hinduism’s patriarchal view through dance

Aanchal Saxena Kannan Aanchal's Kitchen Kathak Dancing Mom Nutan Patwardhan
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