About the Book

"When destiny attempted to silence her dance, she turned it into a symphony of resilience. Told she would never dance again after a spinal injury in an accident on the German autobahn, Sonal Mansingh defied all odds to emerge as one of the world’s greatest Bharatnatyam and Odissi dancer. With her boundless energy and unbreakable spirit, she transformed the dance stage into a canvas for courage, beauty, and social change. Through her unforgettable and captivating dance-dramas rooted in religion and mythology such as Devi Durga, Draupadi, Indradhanush, Mukti, and Manavata, she has redefined Indian classical traditions, weaving art with pressing contemporary concerns. Her art speaks a universal language that transcends boundaries, explained through expressive hand gestures, eye and neck movements in a graceful, flowing dance. A ZigZag Mind captures Sonal Mansingh’s thoughts on ecology, sacred Gods, symbols and rivers, and on dance, movement, and expression—the hallmarks of Mansingh’s unusual life."

About the Author

"Dr Sonal Mansingh is Founder-President of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, a cultural reformer, parliamentarian, and activist. Her journey is one of sheer resilience and vision. She has been the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna, and the Srimanta Sankardeva Award (2023). She is a living legend whose life continues to inspire and uplift. She has served as chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama, and is currently serving her second term as a trustee at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). She has also served as a Parliamentarian in the Rajya Sabha. She was also selected as one of the Navaratnas for the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, where she continues to promote cleanliness and social responsibility."