Shobana

“I'm happy to be associated with the Times Thyagaraja Awards, which takes Carnatic music to the young generation.”

“I give my students the option of not doing an arangetram or having it in a temple. But some parents still want to organize events that resemble mini weddings.”

“The beautiful thing about 'Bhav' is that it reaches out to a far more number than just the typical set of people who say they like classical music and dance.”

“My life, colored by various art forms, has been exposed to diverse music.”

“It's not fair to tell an artiste what to be creative about.”

“I have been very busy in the South and have had the opportunity to work on great films with the best directors.”

“My mother would apply castor oil to my lashes every night. That was kind of torturous, because I would wake up with my eyes stuck close. She knew I would thank her years later for my long, curled lashes!”

“In Tamil or Malayalam, there was a time when light films ruled. Then, a spate of drama or women-oriented stunt films followed.”

“I do get film offers, but if they are dance teacher kind of roles, I don't take them up.”

“To me, it's not about the lure of camera. It has always been a question of whether I can learn something new from a film role or not.”

“When I want to make a creative work, I still have producers of marketing houses dictating to me how I should make a creative video and what sells! If I face that problem, I can imagine how difficult it must be for the rising generation of artistes to find sponsorships.”

“Artistes are all motivated differently, with different experiences.”

“There are no hard and fast rules. Your sensibilities change as you grow older.”

“Beauty works when one is in her teens. Between the ages 55 and 60, it's the technique and the personality of the dancer that captivates the audience.”

“I am glad I was in a position to select films that interested me.”

“As a storyteller, I realize that because of the inherent abstraction in rhythm, the possible interpretations are plenty. But that only makes the work more challenging.”

“Whenever I can snatch two-three days, I get into the car or a train and head straight for a temple site, mostly Brihadishvara Temple.”

“I have generally loved performing in Pune and in Maharashtra. I find the audience here fun-loving, erudite and honest.”

“Why should I do a movie for dance? I can always do it on stage, and I'm doing it. However, if such a film with a good story comes my way, then I might probably do it.”

“Western influences have turned the world into a small global village, particularly through television and other mediums.”