“Dance is such an art, once you take the plunge, there is no looking back. I’ve been expressing myself through folk and classical dance forms right from my childhood. I represent the Kalbeliya dance community, performing our traditional dance form across India in various national and international events.

I am also a trained Bhavai dancer. Bhavai is one of the traditional folk dances of Rajasthan which involves women dancers balancing 6 to 9 pitchers on their heads and dancing simultaneously.

Very recently, we performed the Kalbeliya dance in the Hunar Haat Mahotsav held in Hyderabad. We also take up the work to perform in the cultural programs at recreational spaces like Dhola-Ri-Dhani as part of the cultural dance segments.

Considered by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage, Kalbeliya is performed by the rural women living in the Thar desert region. We dance sinuously to the music played by the men using traditional instruments, such as dholak, khanjar, and pungi.

My journey into the folk dance started at an early age. I learned Kalbeliya through the guidance of my mother and she encouraged me to pursue this dance form. I got an opportunity to represent the Kalbeliya art form across several cities in the country through the support and guidance of my gurus.

Today, I am pursuing my career in dance, full-time, with the support of my family. I aim to spread this dance art form across several countries in the world, making my family proud, by taking this art form to younger generations.”

• Aarthi, Kalbeliya dancer