Everyone sees the applause, the costumes, the final performance.But what about the hustle behind it?

In this powerful guest episode of Small Talk: Work| Play| Build, host Subha speaks with acclaimed dancers Smt Anuradha Vikranth and Shri Parshwanath Upadhye, about building a creative life in full public view.

From facing self-doubt and burnout to carving a space for themselves as performers, educators, and entrepreneurs, this episode is a masterclass in creative resilience, ambition, and authenticity.

Smt. Anuradha Vikranth is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, founder of the cultural institution Drishti Art Centre, and one of Karnataka’s foremost arts educators and curators. Trained under illustrious Gurus and a recipient of accolades including the Karnataka Kalashri Award, Anuradha has not only performed across the world but has also brought classical dance to public consciousness through platforms like the Drishti National Dance Festival.

Shri Parshwanath Upadhye is one of the most compelling Bharatanatyam artists of our time. An Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and founder of the acclaimed Punyah Dance Company, Parshwanath is known for his bold interpretations of mythology, his precise technique, and his ability to connect with diverse audiences across the world. A trained Carnatic vocalist, black belt in karate, and now educator with students worldwide through the Upadhye School of Dance, Parshwanath constantly straddles art and entrepreneurship.

You can learn more at:

https://drishtiartcentre.com

https://anuradhavikranth.com/

https://www.punyahdancecompany.com

https://linktr.ee/parshwanathupadhye

https://www.instagram.com/anuradhavikranth/

https://www.instagram.com/parshwanath_upadhye/

Episode guide:

01:30 Growing Up in the World of Dance

09:15 Why Passion Alone Is Not Enough

15:10 Learning from Teachers, Learning from Failure

21:50 How to Build Institutions Without Losing the Artist

29:40 Why Dance Needs to Evolve (But Stay Rooted)

37:30 Showing Up with Joy, Even When It’s Hard

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Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

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Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

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Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

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