'Sourav is a fighter'

Source: Sify Sports          

Kolkata: Dona Ganguly hates to talk about her husband Sourav’s much-rumored affair with movie actress Nagma.

That does not make the conversation with her uninteresting. The `first lady` of Indian cricket has a wide range of subjects to talk about on the artistic side. "I am a worshipper of classical dance, Odissi, in particular," she says.

 

Following are excerpts from a conversation with the danseuse.

 

What is the importance of being Sourav Ganguly’s wife?

 

It’s certainly a matter of pride. It gives me larger visibility. More people are around us. But our relationship does not thrive solely on it. It began and blossomed much before he became famous.

 

But you are a professional dancer and you have your own identity.

 

Yes. I’m a trained Odissi dancer. Without my dance, life would have been dull, different and meaningless.

 

Does your dance influence your relationship?

 

Yes, to a great extent. Sourav has always encouraged my pursuing dance. It was during my dance training that I met Sourav. Later, he said he had fallen for me after watching me during my dance training (she was Sourav’s next-dour neighbor). When he is in Kolkata, he always tries to be present during my shows. But things are difficult these days. The fact that Sourav is a star causes problems. The audience gets distracted by his presence.

 

Is it not the other way round?

 

No. You should know better what a star cricketer who is also the captain, means in this country.

 

Are you tense when your husband plays?

 

There is a little tension all right, but I’m always confident of his abilities. Occasional failures are bound to be there. That does not bother me. I know Sourav has phenomenal grit. He will overcome failures.

 

Tell us about your dancing career.

 

I started when I was just 18 months old. I was taken to dance classes long before I ever went to school! First, I trained at Amala Shankar (Uday Shankar)’s school. Then I came under my Odissi guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. Odissi apart, I also learned Kathak.

 

What does dance do for you?

 

Dance is both an intellectual and spiritual pursuit for me. It gives me the courage to fight adversities and depression (caused by a recent accident). I express my happiness and pain through dance.

 

Your husband is away for long periods. Don’t you feel lonely?

 

But that’s the allied hazard the near and dear ones of a celebrity are bound to endure. Sometimes, I accompany him. But that’s not always possible. Of course, I feel stronger when he is around.

 

How did Sourav spend his break?

 

We were on our own. The family was united. We had lots of fun. We played carrom, ate, chatted. It was a badly needed break. We really enjoyed it.