Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mitali Sonar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mitali, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My journey towards a professional artistic path was not linear but rather fueled by a combination of events and experiences that led to the decision.

While pursuing my undergraduate degree in BBA, I got the opportunity to serve as the Head of the cultural club due to my background in Indian classical dance. As the head of the cultural club, you encountered various systemic challenges faced by the arts sector, not just in India, but in many parts of the world.

Lower budget allocation: Despite the rich cultural heritage and diversity that arts and culture embody, they often receive lower budget allocation compared to sports. This is particularly apparent in countries like India where sports, particularly cricket, are worshipped. This disparity can hinder the growth and recognition of arts, which is a critical part of a nation’s identity and history. There’s a need for advocacy and policy change to ensure that arts and culture receive equitable funding and support.

Gender imbalance: The lower enrolments of non-female folks in arts, fashion and other creative events reflect underlying societal norms and biases. There’s a stereotypical belief that these domains are more suited to females, which may discourage non-female individuals from participating. Encouraging diversity and inclusivity in these fields is important to break these stereotypes and make the arts more accessible and appealing to all, regardless of gender.

Arts as just a hobby: A significant challenge is the perception of arts as merely a hobby rather than a viable career path. This viewpoint can limit the development of artistic talents and undervalue the contribution of artists. It’s essential to promote the idea that the arts can indeed be pursued as a fulfilling and viable career. This can be done through education, awareness campaigns, success stories, and by providing professional opportunities and resources for artists.

BUT, that year, we made significant headway –

Securing a larger budget that the previous years (AND, as much as the Sports society)
A threefold increase in volunteers and participants across genders.
Many people who were part of the society realized their passion and potential in arts, entertainment, and media, encouraging them to pursue these as professional careers, including me :)

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Mitali Sonar, a New York-based Kathak dancer, arts administrator, and a strong advocate for Indian arts and culture in the United States. Trained in Kathak under the guidance of my Guru Rajendra Chaturvedi, I carry the traditional essence of the Benaras Gharana of Kathak dance while embracing contemporary influences to create an artistic style that reflects both my heritage and my experiences. I also have formal training in Sutradhari Theater (storytelling using had gestures) Bollywood Dance and Indian Contemporary Dance.

I was drawn to the arts at an early age, but it was during my undergraduate studies in BBA that I truly recognized the importance of arts administration. Leading the cultural club at my college, I confronted firsthand the challenges faced by the arts sector – budgetary constraints, gender disparities, and the tendency to view artistic talents as mere hobbies. Through these experiences, I realized the need for professional arts administrators who can create opportunities for artistic talents to flourish.

Since then, I’ve devoted myself to both the performance and promotion of arts. I hold a M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from NYU Steinhardt and currently serve as the Senior Marketing Manager at BRIC Brooklyn, a nonprofit organization shaping Brooklyn’s creative and cultural future. My work at BRIC involves marketing for BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, one of NYC’s longest running music festivals, BRIClab, an artists’ residency program, and other year-round programming in performing arts, contemporary arts, media education and community building.

I also co-organize the New York Kathak Festival, the largest Kathak gathering in North America with a group of South Asian women who all have full-time jobs, but voluntarily run this non-profit to make kathak a household name in America.

What sets me apart is my dual expertise as a performing artist and an arts administrator, which allows me to understand both the creative and organizational aspects of the arts industry. I believe this synergy is crucial for creating a vibrant arts ecosystem that can sustain and nurture artistic talents.

I am particularly proud of the growth I have facilitated for the arts – from significantly increasing the enrolments and budget of the cultural club during my undergraduate years to promoting one of NYC’s biggest music festivals – AND, curating performances that feature South Asian artists at a global music festival this year including artists like Ali Sethi, Rajakumari and Roshni Samlal.

In my dance journey, outside of some solo performances in NYC, I have performed at numerous prestigious stages in the U.S. and India and collaborated with various artists to create works like ‘Existence’, ‘Indian Cabaret’, and ‘On Movement’. I’m also proud of my role in Navatman’s Mahabharata, a dance theater film based on the largest mythology in the world.

To anyone reading this – My work is a sincere endeavor to create a space for Indian arts in the global cultural landscape, and I hope that my work will inspire you to appreciate, support, and engage with the arts. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a budding artist, or a seasoned professional, I invite you to join me in this exciting journey of exploring, creating, and promoting the arts.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is twofold –

First, I aim to contribute to the transformation and unification of India’s diverse and rich performing arts landscape into a standardized industry. Despite India’s wealth of classical and folk arts, theater, music, dance, and even the massive talent in non-native styles, there lacks a robust infrastructure to support artists professionally. The arts scene in Mumbai and other cities in India is often overshadowed by the film and entertainment industry, leaving the traditional and emerging arts sectors underrepresented and under-resourced. I envision a future where cultural tourism becomes a significant industry in India, where travelers worldwide plan their trips to witness the array of performing arts that India can offer.

Secondly, as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) become central to the global arts industry, it is my personal mission to foster increased South Asian representation in arts administration and performances on international platforms. While we have made progress, South Asian voices and talents are still underrepresented in many aspects of the arts worldwide. As a South Asian arts administrator and performer, I am committed to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and paving the way for more diverse representations in the arts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The more I spend time with my friends in finance and tech, the more I realize that although I might never earn as much as these people, I don’t ever see myself retire from the work I do! And that feeling is very rewarding    

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsitsymitsy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitalisonar/
• Threads – @itsitsymitsy

Image Credits
Hardik Gala (Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO photos)