Samvaad with Surbhi Singh: Kathak, Lucknow and the Healing Power of Dance

When we speak of Lucknow, we think of its tehzeeb, its craft, its poetry, and of course, its Kathak. In the latest edition of SAMVAAD – From Ideas to Impact | Connect, we sat down with internationally acclaimed Kathak dancer Surbhi Singh of the Lucknow Gharana. What followed was not just a conversation about art, but about resilience, healing, and the role of culture in nurturing mental health.

Born to Dance, Shaped by a Guru

Surbhi ji recalls, almost playfully, “मेरे माता-पिता कहते थे कि तुम नाचते हुए पैदा हुई थी।” From childhood, music and rhythm came naturally to her. Yet, she admits that raw passion is never enough. “बिना गुरु के ज्ञान नहीं है,” she emphasizes. It was under the guidance of her Guru that her art found discipline, structure, and spiritual depth.

Today, with over 150 disciples working at national and international levels and more than 5000 artists connected to her institution, she carries forward a tradition that is both artistic and deeply therapeutic.

Kathak as Meditation and Mental Wellness

When asked how Kathak contributes to mental and spiritual health, Surbhi ji draws from centuries-old wisdom. Each raga, she explains, carries healing potential. “राग यमन आपकी एक बीमारी पे काम करेगा, राग भैरवी किसी और पर।” Even listening to classical music changes our mental state – imagine the transformation when one immerses in it through dance.

She calls Kathak a form of meditation: “जब आप रियाज करते हैं, तो आप पूरी दुनिया से अलग हो जाते हैं। यह ध्यान है, यह योग है।” For today’s generation, often overwhelmed by gadgets, games, and the pressures of academics or jobs, this immersion is nothing less than therapy.

A Personal Journey Through Grief and Resilience

Mental health is not an abstract concept for Surbhi ji – it is lived experience. She lost her mother at 12 and her father at 17. Suddenly, the responsibility of running a household and raising two younger brothers fell upon her. “मैं भी डिप्रेशन में जा सकती थी,” she admits candidly.

What saved her was Kathak. “अगर मैं इतनी कठिन परिस्थिति से निकल पाई, तो सिर्फ अपनी कला और गुरु की वजह से।” Dance became her anchor, her expression, her strength. It gave her the resilience to keep moving forward. This lived testimony highlights a universal truth: art heals when words fail.

Kathak for the Next Generation

In today’s fast-paced, screen-dominated lives, many young people struggle with loneliness, distraction, and mental fatigue. Parents often hand a mobile phone to children for temporary peace, unknowingly isolating them from real experiences.

But as Surbhi ji stresses, early exposure to music and dance can make children more focused, emotionally balanced, and less prone to addictive behaviors. “बच्चे अगर कला से जुड़ जाएं तो वो डिप्रेशन से अलग रहेंगे, किसी व्यसन में नहीं जाएंगे।”

Interestingly, she dismisses the notion that Kathak or classical dance is only for women. Citing the legacy of Pandit Birju Maharaj and other stalwarts, she says, “जब आप स्टेज पर हैं तो आप सिर्फ अभिनय निभा रहे हैं। यह भ्रम है कि नृत्य सिर्फ स्त्रियों के लिए है।” Kathak, in her view, transcends gender, it is pure expression, equally empowering for boys and girls.

Lucknow’s Soul in Kathak

For Surbhi ji, being born in Lucknow is a privilege. “Lucknow is not just monuments or kebabs; it is tehzeeb, chikankari, ghazals, and Kathak.” The nazaakat and nafaasat of Lucknow seep into the dance form, making the Lucknow Gharana unique in its grace and storytelling.

This cultural rootedness is not just about heritage but also about mental grounding. In times of uncertainty, Kathak and its Lucknowi charm provide a sense of belonging and continuity – something every generation craves.

Kathak and Mental Health: The Larger Lesson

As our conversation with Surbhi Singh ji flowed, one message stood tall: Mental health is not only about therapy or medicine; it is also about expression, connection, and rhythm.

Kathak, with its blend of rhythm, movement, and mythology, allows the dancer to transcend stress, loneliness, and trauma. It connects the physical, mental, and spiritual in one seamless flow. As Surbhi ji puts it, “जब आप सुनने से डूब सकते हैं, तो करने से कहां तक जाएंगे?”

Her life stands as proof. From personal loss to professional triumphs, it was Kathak that gave her purpose and balance. Today, she shares this gift with her disciples and through platforms like SAMVAAD, with the world.

Final Thought

In an era where mental health struggles are on the rise, especially among youth, Kathak offers more than cultural preservation – it offers healing. As we wrapped our SAMVAAD with Surbhi Singh, one truth was clear: Dance is not just performance. It is meditation, therapy, and a way of reclaiming joy.

If there’s one takeaway from her journey, it is this – no matter how dark the times, art has the power to heal, connect, and uplift.

Saumya D Tewari | 9811901985

Write to us at samvaadconnect@gmail.com