Meet Sona Lewis | Performing Arts & Kathak Instructor, Dancer, Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sona Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sona, why did you pursue a creative career?
Firstly, thank you for this opportunity to share my story.

Kathak dance, music, and art allow me to communicate with the world in ways words can’t. I’ve dedicated myself to my craft, and by consistently sharing it, opportunities naturally arise. Though it is not the most conventional path, it is full of depth, possibilities, and adventure. My mother says that I used to pick up household items and use them as props to dance as a toddler, before I even learned to speak. For some of us, art is our language—it chose us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a performing artist, choreographer, and instructor, specializing in Kathak, a classical dance form from Northern India that is over 2,000 years old. Kathak, meaning “storytelling,” is not just a dance but a way of life. I learned it deeply, both by training and by osmosis, living with my Guru’s family, where Kathak was almost like a spiritual practice, not just a dance technique. The tradition of living with the Guru is now extinct.

It is hard to describe this, but I will try. Kathak focuses on expanding one’s ability to perceive and express nature, truth, and stories through dance, poetry, and music. This tradition, passed down through the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara,’ is experiential and cannot be found in books. This path is unconventional and not easy.
It’s about seeking and finding within oneself, not competing externally. This mindset has shaped me since I was young, and it makes you secure within yourself, allowing you to chart your own path, which is what I have done. But I am still seeking and still figuring things out.

While dance is shared with audiences, its true purpose is spiritual. The joy people find in it is secondary to the performer’s inner journey. When my audiences say they feel a sense of connection, or students say that Kathak nourishes their souls, I smile, for that is the essence of this art form.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve traveled extensively and discovered that the definition of fun varies widely! That’s why I ask about preferences before planning activities. I also choose food based on my health and goals, so I prefer avoiding recommendations when it comes to food.

If I had to suggest an itinerary in LA, I’d recommend visiting the ISKCON Temple in Culver City, The Getty, The Broad, and Hollywood landmarks. The sunset at Santa Monica or Venice Beach is stunning. You can enjoy live bands near Sunset Boulevard. Catching a Dodgers game or exploring LA Live is fun, especially with basketball games. A live performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or stand-up at The Comedy Store is also worth experiencing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother supported me in learning Kathak dance since I was 4 years old, at a time when it was not widely popular for girls to pursue dance while growing up in India. She faced many hardships to ensure I learnt from the best, Guru Shukla Ji from New Delhi. He was not only my teacher and guru but also a father figure. He taught me the dance, but also how to be a graceful person, both inside and out through art.
In those days, before the internet, my father would find inspiring articles and stories in the newspapers and magazines, cut them out, and share them with me to show what great leaders and successful people around the world had done, and how they thought or conducted themselves. As a teenager, my father showed me that he believed in me.
Now, I have the support of my husband and children. Before my stage performances, my husband often tells me, ‘Please remember, you belong.'”
The love and support of family and key figures in your life are invaluable.

Website: https://about.me/sonalewis

Instagram: sonalewis10

Facebook: sonalewis

Youtube: @sonalewis

Image Credits
Pictures by Gui Bittencourt and Crystal Dozier.
Picture rights owned by Sona Lewis.