But I like to spend on holidays. My favourite country as far as art and culture is concerned is Russia. I have seen their lovely ballet productions and the serious training they take... Besides Russia, the UK and Iran are my favourite places for a holiday, so that is what I spend on. (Otherwise) my investments are all in government securities.

Right from childhood, I was interested in dance. I would say it is because of my father that I am what I am today. Pandit Vasudev Sharma, a Sanskrit scholar, inspired me and my elder sister to learn dancing -- she learntBharat Natyam, and I took up Kathak.

My parents had no objection to our becoming artistes. My father was very fond of classical music and dance. He taught me music as a child.For me, it was mainly shokiya (a hobby) in the beginning. Later, I got seriously involved with the arts.Since I was an upcoming dance artiste, I got an invitation to Lala Babu Khanna's all-India conference at Calcutta, in 1965. The concert was arranged by Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, father of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. I was paid Rs 750, excluding travel fare and musician's fees...

I never plan to stop dancing. However, when the time comes, I will stop performing on stage, but will still continue my creative work of ballet production and teaching children. My institution is doing very well, with teenage girls and boys and even small children taking a keen interest in arts. I spend a lot of time in my school.

I was born with dance and will die with dance.