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Woman of the Month - November 2010 |
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Past Awardees: [2009] [Jan] [Feb] [Mar] [Apr] [May] [Jun] [Jul] [Sep] [Oct] |
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| Click to Nominate a Woman of the Month | |||||||||
| Kirti Ramgopal | |||||||||
| Recognized for "Her aptitude to pursue both education and dance, without compromising on either...” - Rashmi Iyangar | |||||||||
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Name: Kirti Ramgopal |
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Occupation: Artist – Classical Dancer |
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Employer: Self Employed |
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Location: Bangalore, India |
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Education: |
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Bachelor of Commerce |
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Masters in Business Administration (Human Resources) |
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Training in classical dance – Bharatanatyam for twenty years |
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Woman of the Month Interview |
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| Q: How do you add value to your current career? | |||||||||
| Continuous learning is vital and I continue my advanced training under my Mentors. Taking feedback and constructive criticism from the people who matter and wish for my best is important to me. Watching performances in the city and when I travel teaches me a lot as there is always something new and good to take back. Watching senior artists helps draw inspiration from them. Constantly working on new compositions and practice is imperative. | |||||||||
| Q: Is a college degree necessary for success in your profession? | |||||||||
| A college degree is not a necessity but I can vouch that academic education has definitely enhanced my personality, soft skills and values and has given me a broader outlook. Degrees behind your name talk before you. | |||||||||
| Q: What hurdles/setbacks that you faced in your career? How did you overcome it/them? | |||||||||
| Art is not a mainstream career option in India. It is just growing. Therefore I knew I would face hurdles when I gave up a full time job in Software Company to pursue my dancing. Yet, it has been very fulfilling as I believed in my choice and stayed persistent. Politics is part of every field and its best is to stay away from it and let your work talk for you. | |||||||||
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Q: Given a chance, would you choose a different career? Why (not)? |
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I am happy with my choice and would definitely like to stay in this field that I have chosen. My career growth as I see it would be to set up an institution that teaches and promotes classical dance. |
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Q: Describe yourself in three words... |
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| Patient, Sincere and Hardworking | |||||||||
| Q: What are you best at? | |||||||||
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I plan my performances well and pay attention to detail during practice. |
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| Q: How do you achieve work/life balance? | |||||||||
| Time management and prioritizing tasks are crucial. I have learnt the importance of these while doing my MBA and simultaneously continuing my dance performances. I make it a point to prepare a ‘to-do’ list every night for the following day. Most of all, I have been blessed with a family that supports me unconditionally in pursuing my dreams and career. | |||||||||
| Q: Do you have/have you had mentors/role models? What role have they played in your personal/professional development? | |||||||||
| Yes. My foremost role models/mentors have been my parents as they worked very hard and have taught me values that I respect greatly. My first teacher (Guru) has been the best mentor and role model in my dancing career. I stand confident as a dancer today because of her unconditional generosity in sharing the beauty of the Indian Classical Dance – Bharathanatyam with me and her training. My mentors under whom I undergo advanced training and several senior performers are inspiring role models for their dedication, exemplary talent and strength of performance, humility and character. | |||||||||
| Q: What is your favorite quote and by whom? | |||||||||
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I have two favorite quotes: |
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| “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones that you did do. So throw of the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain | |||||||||
| “Don’t be ruffled if now and then you get a brush from the world; it will be over in no time, and everything will be alright.” Swami Vivekananda. | |||||||||
| Q: What are your interests in your leisure time? | |||||||||
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Spending time with family and close friends, reading. |
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| Q: Are there any goals/ dreams that you are yet to fulfill? | |||||||||
| Yes. I believe in the words of Robert Frost “There are miles to go before I sleep…” | |||||||||
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I feel truly blessed in a lot of ways and feel that it is a duty to offer meaningful contribution to society. I would like to set up a school for underprivileged children, teach art free of cost and make children respect and value our Indian culture. In my free time, I work with NGOs in training underprivileged children in classical art forms. |
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Q: Networking – What tips can you suggest for successful networking? |
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| It is very important to share and learn from one another. Networking with the right kind of people and maintaining mutual warmth and respect is important. I’m not too much into social networking sites but I interact with colleagues in the art field at lecture demonstrations and performances. Calling or writing to say Thank you to the people who have helped is important. | |||||||||
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