Of dreams, passions and professions

Uplifting tales

Ever since our childhood, we are always told to follow our dreams. Ind­eed, the joy and satisfaction of wor­king in a profession of our cho­ice are phenomenal. But at the same time, the confidence and hard work that go in making the most of what we do, is something that will often make us wonder if it is worth following your pas­­-sion instead of settling for a regular career.

Gone are the times when a nine to five government job was considered to be the ‘safest and the best career option’. Today, people want to experiment. They don’t shy from taking up challenges and struggling their way out to achieve what they want is what gives them the high!

Metrolife spoke to a few intrepid adventurers who have loyally followed their passion and are now smart professionals who’ve carved a niche for themselves in what was once a mere ‘hobby’ for them.

Zain Anwar, a feature wri­ter with a leading newspaper group, was a poet and a prolific writer/ story-teller since his first day at school. “My mother still vividly rem­embers that day. It was a normal gust of emotions that a parent goes through while picking up her toddler from the school, the very first time that a child is away from her protective eyes and guidance,” says Anwar with deep nostalgia.

“As she rushed her anxious self to the gate, she saw a vision, entirely unexpected to her sensibilities. I was sitting in the centre of group of children who were all listening to me carefully, as I narrated my bedtime stories to them... Hardly would she have known that her only child would do this for the rest of his life!” adds Anwar with a humble smile on his face.

The union of passion and profession is indeed full of love and romance. While it creates a definitive high in life, it also has the potential to drag you to your lowest.

It was this phase that choreographers Astha Sharma and Kapil Rana were going through, when they inaugurated their dance academy, ‘Casa de Dance’ in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. Having spent four years as trainers and being a part of the Special Potential Batch of Shiamak Davar International, the duo felt strongly about taking forward their love for dance, in their own way.

Given the struggle and the dedication, that goes in getting established in an industry as competitive as choreography, both Sharma and Rana were prepared for the challenges that came their way.

“As a male child in my family, I was always aware of the responsibilities and pressure of building a secure future. Naturally, my parents were a little inquisitive if I would ever be able to earn a livelihood with the profession that I opted for,” shares Rana.

“But they always supported and believed in me,” he continues, “and gave me the strength to move ahead with the strongest passion in life. Apart from providing me a helping hand for the initial investments of Casa de Dance, my parents have always suggested me to follow my instincts,” Rana tells Metrolife.

His partner and co-worker, on the other hand,  is oozing such enthusiasm and zeal, that one finds it difficult to believe that she once dreamt of becoming “a choreographer like Saroj Khan” when only eight! “I think, since the time I started understanding the world around me, dancing on the groovy numbers of Bollywood was all I used to do,” remembers Sharma.

“Today, when I see myself as choreographing my students, I cannot stop myself from getting back to my learning days and how my trainers received me. Even if my profession involves a lot of hard work and the progress is really slow and steady, I am prepared for it and I welcome all the challenges with open arms, because this is what I want to do,” she adds.

One draws inspiration from Sharma and Rana, who started their career from scratch and are now looking forward to bigger choreography projects that come their way.

Very few people stay true to their real ambitions and passions. A lot many will find an easy way out or an alternative, so as to get rid of the difficulties that lie in the pathway to their ultimate goal.

But Kanika Sood wasn’t one of them. Currently working as the Programming Controller in Radio Mirchi, Sood dreamt of working for this FM channel, ever since it was launched in the city back in 2003.

“I was an ardent fan of radio since the time I was in school. Even though my initial years of work life included jobs that were my ‘second option’, I eventually landed up as a radio jockey in Mirchi in November, 2011. From an avid Radio Mirchi listener to someone who is responsible for its programming, it has been a worthwhile journey,” rejoices Sood.

As one goes through such experiences, one feels it’s worth the effort to follow one’s heart and take a leap of faith. Even if it involves falling, the jump and the fall would definitely be worth it!