BENGALURU: Dance is a stress buster for this molecular biologist Kohal Das. The 28-year-old research scientist spends all his time on research on tumour immunology and dances to de-stress and relax his mind.
Born in a family of dancers in Kolkata, he couldn’t pursue dancing at a young age as he developed a congenital disease hemangioma, a benign condition which leads to formation of lumps under the skin by a collection of blood vessels. This restricted him from playing or performing any physical exercise, fearing that an injury or a cut in his left hand can lead to profuse bleeding.
He recalls, “I never played in my childhood, fearing an injury. I couldn’t indulge in any physical activity until I reached a certain age of maturity where I could understand my endurance. Due to this medical condition, I started off dancing only when I was in class 8. I grew up watching dance. I would accompany my parents while they travelled across India and probably this has turned to be an advantage for me. As I have observed the dance in close quarters, I can learn faster.”
He concentrated on his academics while he was a child and excelled in his studies. He gained interest in science and decided to pursue the subject further. He says, “I topped in the IISC entrance examination for PhD in Biotechnology and chose Cancer Genetics as his research subject. I have achieved the highest degree in science. The central government is funding my research and I am working with a government institute for five years. This is a way I can give back to my society. Slowly, I realised that I could dance alongside too.”
He was also awarded the best research student award in the year 2013.
He learned Odissi from a popular dancer Rina Jana in Kolkata but had to discontinue when he got selected for a PhD programme in biotechnology at IISC Bangalore. He moved in to the city in 2011 and completed his study in June this year. He now works as a research scientist for Mazumdar Shaw Centre for Translational research.
He started his training in Bharatnatyam from Parshwanath Upadhye and also continued training in Odissi from Madhulita Mohapatra. “My gurus are my strength and inspiration.They never considered that I have a problem with my left hand. When I rehearse for longer, my hands swell and the pain lasts for a week. I do not want sympathy from people. I am glad that they have undermined my problem and helped me project my art.” He will be performing his Arangetram in Bharatnatyam next year. “I like to dance for dance. It gives me positive energy,” he adds.
Dance gives him opportunities to share the stage with stalwarts and science gives him a day to listen to Nobel laureates but managing research work with no time bounds and dance is challenging. Kohal adds, “You need to make certain compromises as both are demanding careers. I do not get time to spend with my friends. I rarely go out with them. Weekends are usually invested in dance. I go for rehearsals late evenings and midnights.” Though his parents were little apprehensive due to health issues when he started dancing, he says, they have understood that I have the endurance and also they are happy that I completed PhD in science too.
He feels dance is not a male or female dominated art. It is about good and bad dancers, as imparted by his gurus. “I am happy to see how dedicated artistes are about spreading the Indian culture and heritage. I just started my journey. I have a long way to go,” he concludes.