IGNCA hosts discussion on Dr Sonal Mansingh’s ‘A Zigzag Mind’

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) on Monday organised a special discussion on the revised edition of A Zigzag Mind, authored by renowned danseuse,former Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Sonal Mansingh. Published by IGNCA in collaboration with Vitasta Publishing, the book reflects Dr Mansingh’s extraordinary journey as an artiste, mentor, thinker and cultural icon.

The event was graced by former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale as the guest of honour. Eminent author and social worker Sundeep Bhutoria attended as a special guest, while IGNCA Member Secretary Dr Sachchidanand Joshi chaired the session.

Speaking on the occasion, Kovind described DrMansingh’s life as a testament to conviction, discipline and resilience. Recalling her return to stage after a near-fatal accident, he said, “Her life is not about stubbornness, but a symbol of firm conviction. She is a living example of the saying: ‘Man ke haare haar hai, man ke jeete jeet.” He emphasised that dance was meditation, penance and yoga, and praised her efforts at promoting social awareness and environmental conservation through art.

Hosabale highlighted that Dr Mansingh embodied not just dance, but the spirit of Indian culture, literature and spirituality. “Her art is not mere entertainment but an experience of the depth of culture,” he said, noting her scholarship in epics, world civilisations and multiple languages alongside her mastery of Bharatanatyam and Odissi.

Bhutoria described A Zigzag Mind as a “captivating compilation” of her artistic experiences and reflections, while Dr Joshi said the new edition reaffirmed the richness of Indian traditions and the relevance of cultural issues Dr Mansingh had championed.

Reflecting on the book’s title, Dr Mansingh shared that just like a train navigating mountains, an artist’s mind and experiences too take non-linear paths but ultimately arrive at clarity and purpose. “An artist’s mind, heart and emotions pass through many layers, carrying the sattvic essence to audiences and transporting them to new realms,” she said.

First launched in 2022, the book has been described as both a cultural document and a personal narrative, weaving together the guru-shishya tradition, secularism in art, riverine culture and the layered essence of Indian heritage.