In the ever-evolving Bangladeshi dance scene, Motmainna Moni craves to leave a mark with her grace and poise. The young dancer has mastered the art of blending age-old practices of Bangladeshi dance with a contemporary edge.

In a candid conversation with The Daily Star, Moni shares insights into her artistic journey, the inspirations behind her most memorable performances, and the vision that inspires her to forge ahead.

When asked what inspired her to become a dancer, Moni shared, "I always find myself returning to the image of my 10-year-old self, captivated by the performances on 'Notun Kuri'. Growing up in Rangpur, where opportunities were few and far between, it was my passion that propelled me forward."

Moving to Dhaka marked a turning point for Moni. She studied Fine Arts at Dhaka University, while training in Bharatanatyam at Chhayanaut under her guru, Belayet Hossen Khan, and learning Manipuri from Tamanna Rahman. Later, a Master's in Bharatanatyam from the University of Bangalore expanded the dancer's knowledge of the art.

With a spark of determination, Moni expressed, "I'm eager to explore the fusion of traditional and contemporary art forms through choreographies that connect dance, painting, and ceramics."

She continued, "I'm also working on an international journal to reflect my journey and promote dance as a source of empowerment. In Bangladesh, I want to tackle the lack of theoretical knowledge about Bharatanatyam by writing articles and eventually publishing a comprehensive book."

The artiste took joy in sharing her accomplishments, "I've been lucky enough to achieve some milestones, including earning the ICCR scholarship for my Master's in Bharatanatyam, while being enlisted as a dancer at Bangladesh Television in 2021."

Moni partook in India's National Youth Festival (2024) and performed at events including the International Folk Fest (2018), Chhayanaut's Classical Dance Fest (2018), and Kalajyoti Utsav in Kolkata (2019).

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The talented artiste wrapped up the conversation whilst showcasing her passion, "Art has always been my core motivator– it's what keeps me creating, performing, and learning. I know I'll continue this journey until my last breath because if we, as artistes, stop, these beautiful traditions and forms risk fading away."

The journey for Moni was far from easy. "Financial struggles, the lack of mentors in my early years, and the challenge of balancing my love for dance, and painting have tested me time and again.  Circling back to all the wisdom and hardships, this is how, from ordinary Moni, 'Moni the Dancer' came into being," she concluded.