Q. Tell us something about yourself.
Ans. My name is Diksha Bhargava. I am in my 3rd year, pursuing B.Com (Hons)from SRCC, Delhi University. I am a national level dancer and a theatre artist. As a hobby, I am really fond of converting waste into valuable art. My favourite best out of waste art piece would be the wall decor I created from the cardboard packaging of a washing machine.
Q. As you have mentioned you like to dance and act. At what age did you start dancing and acting?
Ans. I come from a family of artists. Both my mother and my grandmother have been great dancers, and still continue to be a motivation for me. So fortunately, I started dancing at a very young age. However, talking about theatre, I never really thought I’d make a good actor. But it all changed when I took part in a theatre competition in the 9th standard and realized that I can in fact act. Since then, I've never looked back.
Q. Was these things planned or did you just go with the flow?
Ans. Well, I never planned anything as such. I started dancing very casually as everyone does during their childhood. However, growing up, I was culturally very active. My parents too, always encouraged me to participate in culturals, a lot, infact. As I grew up, I started realising my passion for dance, music and theatre, how much importance it actually holds in my life and thereafter, thought of pursuing it diligently.
Q. Have you ever had a ‘guru’ or someone who has influenced you?
Ans. Yes, my Kathak Guru, Ms. Manju Wazir has been a big influence for the dancer in me. I still remember, I met her for the first time when I was in nursery school. More than 10 years later, fortunately, I'm still in touch with her. As for music, my mother was my teacher and still remains to be the best critic of my work. She herself is a trained vocalist in Hindustani Classical Music and has won many laurels during her student life. Infact, my whole maternal background has always been excellent in music. My grandfather was an immensely talented singer who sang on All India Radio way back in the 1960s. So, I can undoubtedly say that music runs in the family :)
Q. Do you ever feel pressurized to keep with your family when it comes to singing?
Ans. Absolutely not. Infact, since I have always been active in both theatre and dancing , my family has only pushed me to pursue all that I want to. I think every parent wants their child to be an all-rounder. So, when I participate in more than one art form, my parents only support and encourage me to give my absolute best to everything. They always motivate me to do the things that I want to do and pursue the things I am good at instead of comparing myself with others or depreciating my self worth.
Q. What is your most memorable performance to date?
Ans. Every year during the annual day function at my school, an hour long musical play is conducted, with 4-5 dance performances, which is basically like a Bollywood movie, just live and of a shorter duration. When I was in the 11th grade, I got an opportunity to play the lead artist of the play. They wanted a trained, professional Kathak dancer for the same. I, however, was a self trained dancer, and whatever Kathak I knew was due to my dance teacher. It was absolutely a dream come true when I finally got to know that I got the part. I remember being told that more than anything that worked in my favour was how much I was willing to work hard for it, how important that performance actually was to me and that everyone believed in me. I used to practice 5-6 hours everyday, straight for 3-4 months. When the final performance day arrived, my heart was pounding like anything. All I was praying for, was to not let down the people who believed in me, my teachers, my co actors, my family and my friends. As the show began, with each dance performance and scene, my jewelry, wig, and accessories started falling off. I didn't really practice with the accessories, especially the 3kg crown that I wore on the final day, which was the toughest of all to carry while taking the chakkars. Everytime I'd spin, it'd make my head heavy and I'd fight for it to remain intact. At one point when I was doing a chain of continuous chakkars, I got stung by a nail on the floor. But as we say, the show must keep going, so it did, and so did I. It didn't stop me from performing and I can proudly say that, that was my main character moment. At the end of a very successful show, I was specially appreciated by the chief guests, director, and trustee of my school. My parents too, were specially invited later by them to appreciate my performance. That's exactly when I knew, I did justice to all of it.
Q. Do you feel that there is something that is keeping you behind?
Ans. There is no such thing in particular. However, I do have temporary and momentary fears. The major thing that fears me is lack of preparation. I think it arises out of wanting to be perfect all the time. But, I've come to realize that not everything can be perfect. More importantly, it doesn't need to be. All that matters is giving your best.
Q. Since you are an artist yourself, what do you think about these latest Tiktok/ reel trends?
Ans.I think the main reason people don't like these slow and reverb versions of songs is that people are used to the originals and are attached to them. If someone tries to change it, people seem to feel as if a known part of them is being changed, which is normal. However, being an artist, I understand that some people might see it differently and by using their creativity and experimenting, they want to show a different version of the songs, their versions of it, their brain babies. It’s completely subjective if someone likes it or not.
Q. How does it feel to be a part of the student union of your college?
Ans. It had been a little hectic for a while. I still remember the day I got interviewed for the same. I was nervous but confident. Fortunately, everything went well and I got selected. I feel extremely grateful to have got an opportunity to represent the student body of my college and hope to have provided justice to it.
Q. What message do you wanna give to your past and to your future self?
Ans. To my past self, I want to say that don't be afraid of change, failure, or judgment. Atleast give it a try, otherwise you'll never really know. And for my future self, I would like to say that always remember what your past self has gone through and always stay connected to your roots.
HIGHLIGHTS
Diksha Bhargava is a 3rd-year student pursuing Bcom Hons from SRCC, Delhi university.
She is a national-level dancer, a singer, and a theater artist.
She started dancing at a very young age, and did her first act in theatre in her 9th standard. She is also a part of the Student union of her college.
Her Khatak Guru believed in her and gave her a chance. Despite having some problems she still performed and made her school and her parents proud.
She has her good share of achievements but also believes in staying connected to her roots.
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