MY SCARS ARE GOLDEN LININGS OF VICTORY AS IT SYMBOLIZE MY STRENGTH AND SURVIVAL: NRITYASHREE

THE POWER OF HER

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A Kathak exponent and cancer survivor, she transforms her struggles into stories, using dance as both prayer and resilience. She transformed two surgeries and eight chemotherapy sessions into a journey of rhythm, grace, and unshakable hope. Even from the confines of a hospital bed, her determination to return to the stage never dimmed. Today, her performances embody survival, resilience, and faith. In this exclusive interview with The Daily Guardian, she shares how Kathak became her lifeline and the language of her triumph.

Excerpts

Q. Kathak is often seen as a storytelling art form—how did you use it to tell your own story of survival?

NEHA DEEP

A. Kathak is my healer till date. It kept me strong and positive through two surgeries and eight chemotherapy sessions.

Q. Was there a moment during your treatment when you thought you might never dance again? How did you overcome it?

A. Yes, in ICU after my first surgery when my legs didn’t move. Determination to return to stage helped me fight back.