Art and Culture

Zigzag to clarity: Sonal Mansinghs dance of life captivates Delhi

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 08 Sep 2025, 03:02 am

New Delhi/IBNS: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) was abuzz with intellectual and cultural energy as it hosted a special discussion on the revised edition of danseuse Sonal Mansingh’s autobiography, A Zigzag Mind.

Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Dattatreya Hosabale, Ram Nath Kovind, Dr Sonal Mansingh and Sundeep Bhutoria

The event was graced by luminaries including former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, cultural and social activist Sundeep Bhutoria, among others.

The session, chaired by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, was less a formal book re-launch and more a profound conversation on art, resilience, and the Indian spirit—qualities embodied by the Padma Vibhushan awardee and former Rajya Sabha MP, Dr. Sonal Mansingh.

Sundeep Bhutoria delivering his speech

Chief Guest Ram Nath Kovind set the tone, drawing a powerful parallel between Sonal ji’s life and the ancient adage, “Man ke haare haar hai, man ke jeete jeet” (To be defeated in mind is to be defeated; to win in mind is to win). He highlighted her remarkable comeback after a near-fatal accident—not as mere stubbornness, but as a symbol of unshakeable conviction. “For her,” he said, “dance is not merely a technique, but a form of meditation, penance and yoga.”

The 190-page autobiography, published by IGNCA in collaboration with Vitasta Publishing, journeys through themes of the guru–shishya parampara, the creative process, and the divinity of life. In it, Dr. Mansingh writes: “Creativity pertains to the mind and its imagination that moulds action.”

Sundeep Bhutoria delivering his speech

The discussion also reflected on the book’s title. On the idea of a “zigzag” path, Dr. Mansingh shared a vivid analogy: much like a train navigating mountain switchbacks, an artist’s mind and experiences may follow non-linear routes but ultimately reach clarity and purpose. “An artist’s mind, heart and emotions pass through many layers, carrying the sattvic essence to audiences and transporting them to new realms,” she explained.

When asked if her formidable conviction could sometimes be intimidating, she replied with characteristic wit: “If my conviction doesn’t conform to the metrics of living in a man’s world, that’s their problem! I have co-existed with men for all these years—I think the credit goes to me.”

Dattatreya Hosalbe with Sundeep Bhutoria

Sri Dattatreya Hosabale stressed that Dr. Mansingh embodies the very spirit of Indian culture, literature, and spirituality, noting her deep scholarship in epics and world civilizations alongside her mastery of Bharatanatyam and Odissi.

Eminent social worker Sri Sundeep Bhutoria, a long-time associate, praised the autobiography as a “captivating compilation” of her artistic experiences and indomitable spirit. “This book is an artiste’s sensitive expression in which she shares her profound thoughts. The experiences contained in this book not only show readers a path to make their life’s journey beautiful but also teach them to see life in its totality. Along with savouring the essence (rasa) inherent in life, this book also shows the way to visualize the ideal and make it meaningful.”

First launched in 2022, A Zigzag Mind continues to be more than a memoir; it is a vibrant cultural document weaving together the guru–shishya tradition, the secularism of art, and the layered richness of Indian heritage—proving that the most fascinating journeys are rarely in a straight line.