Echoes of Ghungroos, Echoes of Love – Sindhu Nair

A dedicated Bharatanatyam dancer who trained under Guru Gargi Balakrishnan and the late Guru P.R.C. Nair, for the past 15 years, she has worked as a makeup and costume artist on some of India’s top dance reality shows. In 2020, Sindhu Nair founded the ‘Ghungroo Festival’ in memory of her late brother and husband — a festival that has now grown into one of Mumbai’s most heartfelt and celebrated cultural events. For Sindhu, Ghungroo is not just a festival, but a soulful tribute that keeps love, devotion, and art alive. Her life motto is: “Keep the spirit of art alive.” Excerpts from the interview:

How did the idea of the Ghungroo Festival come about?

Ghungroo isn’t just a dance festival — it’s my soul laid bare. It’s a tribute to the two most important men in my life: my younger brother, Late Ravi Dharman, and my husband, Late Sanil Nair.

My brother wasn’t just family — he was my dance partner, my best friend. We shared the stage and our dreams. Losing him at just 29 shattered something inside me. I remember feeling like a part of me had gone silent. Most people light a candle on death anniversaries — I chose to light a stage instead. I wanted to hear the sound of ghungroos, not silence.

When I held the very first Ghungroo Festival in January 2020, my husband stood by me like a rock. He said something I’ll never forget: “Sindhu, I’m proud of you. You’re ready to do this on your own — never stop.” Two months later, in March 2020, he passed away.

His words became my strength. His voice echoes in every beat of the festival. Ghungroo is not just an event — it’s my way of keeping them alive, through every step, every rhythm, every heartbeat on that stage.

The festival has grown into a massive celebration. Why this format — a full-day event?

Honestly, I never imagined it would grow this big. In 2020, we began with 25 groups and 450 dancers — all friends, all united by love for dance and a shared dream.

Year by year, it just grew: in 2022: 50 groups, 750 artists, in 2023: 80 groups, 1,000 artists, in 2024: 100 groups, 1,500 artists and now in 2025: 110 groups, over 1,600 artists

I didn’t chase numbers. The Ghungroo family expanded because of the emotional connection. Artists kept coming back. New ones joined in. It became a movement — a space where artists are celebrated, not judged.

What made this year’s Ghungroo Festival truly special?

Everything about Ghungroo is special — because it’s made of love. There’s no entry fee for artists, no tickets for audiences, no corporate banners, and no big-money sponsors. The entire festival runs on goodwill — friends, family, volunteers, and art lovers.

We offer: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, tea, coffee — all day, Certificates, mementos, and tokens of love for every performing group. There’s no agenda here — just pure passion. This year, someone said to me, “It feels like home.” And that’s all I’ve ever wanted Ghungroo to be.

The structure of the festival spans over 16 hours! Tell us about the performances.

Yes, it runs from 8 AM till almost 1 AM! We divide it into three powerful segments: Day time was classical performances — 53 stunning acts from artists all over India, evening was dedicated to Folk dances — vibrant, raw, and rooted in our soil and night post 9 pm till late night was Bollywood, Western, Salsa, Fusion — the celebration of joy.

One of the most emotional moments this year was a segment dedicated to specially-abled artists. Their courage moved everyone to tears. And a Chhau performance from Purulia — oh, it left the audience speechless. We also had two international groups from Bahrain and Russia, adding global grace to our Indian soul.

Ghungroo has become one of Mumbai’s biggest festivals — yet it remains free and unsponsored. How do you sustain it?

It’s true — we’ve never approached the government or big brands. I believe when something is created with purity, the universe supports it. After my husband passed away, I didn’t think I could go on. But my friends, my guru, and the dance community held me up.

Classical and folk arts often struggle for space. That’s why we made the bold choice to include all forms under one roof. Ghungroo is not a competition. It’s a celebration. And in all these years, hardly any group has backed out. That kind of commitment comes only when people believe — deeply, emotionally — in what the festival stands for.

What’s next for Ghungroo? What are your future plans?

I don’t plan years ahead. I’ve learned to let the universe guide me. I just pray for strength — to be able to do this every year, to serve the artist community, and to make my brother and husband proud. That’s all.

Tell us about your own journey — as a dancer and artist.

I’m a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, having studied under Guru Gargi Balakrishnan and the late Guru P.R.C. Nair. For the last 15 years, I’ve worked as a makeup and costume artist on India’s top dance reality shows like Dance India Dance, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, Dance Deewane, and many more. I’ve worked on over 18 reality shows But, Ghungroo is my heart. It’s not just about dance — it’s about why we dance. I owe everything to my Guru, Smt. Jayshree Nair. Without her support, Ghungroo wouldn’t exist.

What is your motto in life?

Even if you can’t dance today, its okay, you can still create a stage for someone who can. That’s the beauty of art — it finds a way. Dance till your last breath and Celebrate life, even in a loss. Let us all come together and unite India as one through the divine energy of dance, Jai Hind.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and Dada Saheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted on sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com