IGNCA celebrates Sonal Mansingh’s life and art with book launch of ‘A Zigzag Mind’

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) came alive with reflections on art, resilience and cultural legacy as it unveiled A Zigzag Mind, a new edition of the memoirs of Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh — dancer, cultural icon and former Member of Parliament. The book, published by IGNCA in collaboration with Vitasta Publishing, was launched before a distinguished gathering that included former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and author-activist Sundeep Bhutoria. The session was chaired by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA.

The evening unfolded as more than a book release — it became a meditation on Mansingh’s extraordinary journey in Indian classical dance and her contributions to the country’s cultural and spiritual life.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, the chief guest, described her life as “not about stubbornness, but a symbol of firm conviction,” recalling her return to the stage after a near-fatal accident. Quoting the adage “Man ke haare haar hai, man ke jeete jeet” (Defeat lies in a defeated mind; victory belongs to a determined one), he said her art embodies discipline, meditation, and yoga. Stressing the relevance of the Guru-Shishya tradition, he drew from the Mundaka Upanishad to remind the audience that knowledge flows from guidance as much as from discipline.

Kovind also praised Mansingh’s efforts beyond the stage — from environmental awareness to nurturing young dancers through the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, founded in 1970.

“Technique is essential,” he said, “but emotion and tradition are what elevate an artist. Sonal ji has always treated dance as a spiritual discipline. Her life is both an inspiration and a message for the younger generation.”

Dattatreya Hosabale, guest of honour, described Mansingh as a “living embodiment of Indian culture, literature and spirituality.” He noted her mastery not just of Bharatanatyam and Odissi, but also of texts like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Ramcharitmanas, alongside her proficiency in multiple languages. “Sonal ji does not merely perform art — she lives culture,” he said, recalling her powerful address at the Feminine Divinity conference in Mumbai. While reflecting on the title, he suggested her life was not ‘zigzag’ but “a reflection of firm resolve and clarity.”

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For Sundeep Bhutoria, the book offered readers “a way to relish the essence inherent in life while attaining a vision of the sublime.” He described it as both a personal testament and a universal guide, interweaving philosophy with the everyday struggles and triumphs of an artist.

Spanning five decades of writing, A Zigzag Mind blends anecdote, reflection, and insight into a memoir that is candid, witty, and unflinching. It charts Mansingh’s personal and professional journey through moments of struggle and resilience, triumphs and relationships, while placing her life in the wider context of India’s cultural and civilisational ethos.

Unveiled before an audience of scholars, students, and admirers, the book reflects the spirit of its author — zigzag in its flow, yet deeply profound in its search for meaning.