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Part 2 :
In an interview conducted by Dr Jaswant SinghPuri, Shruti Gupta, Kathak Dancer, Limca Book of Records Holder talks about the Indian Culture.
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Chandigarh, July 08, 2019 :
Q11.Please share your memories at Baralacha Pass near Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh?
Answer- I performed kathak at an altitude of 5,242m(17,198 feet) for seven minutes in sub-zero temperature at Baralacha Pass in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. I broke all the previous records. This is my first world record. On October 18, 2015 , I performed kathak for seven minutes at 17,198 feet (Baralacha Pass-Zanskar Range in Western Trans Himalaya). I always wanted to do something different. Generally, kathak is performed on a legend or in the praise of God. At this Pass I did kathak on the theme of nature. Nature is the greatest gift of God but humans don’t value it. Before performing at Baralacha Pass, I had to concentrate both on mental and physical aspect. I worked under my Guru Ji for six months to prepare for the performance. I learned to control my breath while performance, acclimatize to perform in sub-zero temperature and various other aspects to perform at high altitudes. And the final result was beautiful and satisfying.
Q12.Who coined the name SHRUTI for you?
Answer- My parents coined my name Shruti.
Q13. What is the meaning of ,’’SHRUTI”?
Answer-Shruti , is a Sanskrit word, found in the Vedic texts of Hinduism where it means lyrics and “what is heard” in general. It is also an important concept in Indian music, where it means the smallest interval of pitch that the human ear can detect and a singer or musical instrument can produce.
Q14.How do you like Zanskar range?
Answer- The Zansker Range is very beautiful and very similar to heaven. This Himalaya Range abounds with snow in every season whether it is winter or summer.
Q15.Why did you like majestic Himalayas ?
Answer-Since my childhood I have been profoundly attracted to the great Himalaya. I grew up in Solan and often travelled to Kullu -Manali to meet my family members who are spread all over Himachal Pradesh. As I would spend my holidays there, I would never miss an opportunity to dance in the hills, and sing aloud with my cousins. It is during those holidays and carefree days as a kid that I nursed a dream. I always wanted to reach the highest peak in the world. As a little kid I had no idea which one of them was the highest, but I would tell my cousins that I wanted to scale the highest peak. Moreover Himalaya is very beautiful and home to a lot of flora & fauna. You can learn many things from Himalaya. There is no limit of its greatness.
Q16.What are the main aims & objectives of Global Cultural Programme instituted by you?
Answer-With the help of “Global Cultural Programme” I want to set new standards in the field of art & culture by popularizing the ‘Indian Art & Culture’ throughout the world. I want to tell more and more people about the beauty of India’s classical dances. I want to perform for every country of the world and encourage the youth to love and appreciate classical dance. Again
Q17.Please share your experiences at Khardungla Pass with The readers.
Answer- I made my second world record at an altitude of 18,380 feet at khardungla Pass (Ladakh, J&K) in minus twenty four degree Celsius temperature for twenty minutes on 27th October, 2016. I performed here to raise the voice against terrorism and also raised the spirit of Indian Armed Forces by doing this deed at such a challenging height and temperature without thinking about the risk of my life. I did it barefoot and without bearing any warm clothes properly in kathak costume. It was a very challenging project because of the paucity of oxygen level & extreme minus temperature. This terrain is very inhospitable. It is not so easy to perform there for anyone but I practiced a lot for this. This is a result of many years rigorous practice.
Q18. Please tell something about the theme of your Cultural shows titled,’’Ek Muhim Atankwad Ke Khilaaf”, (A Campaign Against Terrorism).
Answer- A year later in 2016, I had reached Khardungla Pass, which is at the height of 18, 380 feet from the sea level. I wanted to repeat my dance performance and chose the theme- Ek Muhim Atankwaad Ke Khilaaf ( A campaign Against Terrorism). It was a logical theme since India had just announced its surgical strike against the Pakistan and there was rising mood against terrorism across the country. I joined hand with the Indo-Tibetan Boarder Police (ITBP).
Q21.What is your relation with the Erstwhile Princely State of Patiala?
Answer- There is a very great relation with the erstwhile princely state of Patiala. I did my Second master degree in Indian Classical Dance from Punjabi University Patiala. I spent more than three years in Patiala. Patiala has been very lucky for me as I learnt many things from this city.
Q22.Please share your memories during your stay at Royal City of Patiala in Punjab.
Answer- I have been performing kathak dance from my childhood but received my professional degree in dance in Patiala only from Punjabi University. This city taught me many things about life. I struggled here a lot but finally I got many achievements here.
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