Coverage of Apeejay College of Fine Arts student achievement in Medium

Apeejay student Gurnit Kaur Nijjar shares unforgettable memories from her Gidda performance on the international stage

For Gurnit Kaur Nijjar, a student of Bachelor of Design (Multimedia) at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, dancing has always been something she enjoyed. However, she developed a keen interest in Giddha and it quickly became more than just a dance form for her. “It became my mental escape and source of joy,” the Apeejay student shared.

She further mentioned, “Although I haven’t undergone any formal training, my passion for Giddha grew immensely after I participated in the Youth Festival. That was the first time I performed on such a big stage, and the experience was unforgettable. Being on that stage boosted my confidence and deepened my love for Giddha. Since then, Giddha has become an important and cherished part of my life. Furthermore, my teammates who are no longer a team but a family have persuaded me to become a permanent part of this beautiful dance form.”

In a quick interview with this achiever, Gurnit narrates her journey of representing the country on an international platform as well as how dance adds to her personal growth and confidence building.

Read edited excerpts:

How did it feel to represent India and Punjabi culture on an international platform like South Africa, and what was the most memorable moment from your tour?

Representing India and Punjabi culture in South Africa filled me with immense pride and gratitude. I am deeply thankful to God for granting me such an opportunity- one that introduced me to many others who are similarly passionate about our traditions. One of the most unforgettable moments was witnessing Indians residing in Africa feel a deep connection with us, expressing their love and support. I vividly remember when this one child dropped a few drops off her eyes while saying goodbye to all of us. That experience not only reinforced my commitment to our culture but also beautifully highlighted the universal language of dance and heritage.

How do you prepare mentally and physically before a major performance, especially on an international stage?

Whether it’s someone’s first performance or 100th, a certain level of nervousness always lingers. I’ve learned to embrace that feeling and channel it into energy that fuels my performance. However, being a beginner in the field I still have a long way to go to balance my emotions and prepare accordingly. However certain things that I have figured out till now are:

1. I take a few moments before stepping on stage to ground myself, reminding me why I love what I do.

2. I focus on the joy and passion behind each movement, which helps me shift from nervousness to excitement.

3. I also reflect on the opportunity to share my culture with an international audience, which fills me with pride and motivates me to give my best.

As a student of B. Design (Multimedia) and a passionate Giddha performer, how do you balance academics with your artistic pursuits at Apeejay College of Fine Arts?

I’m still in the process of finding that balance between academics and my artistic pursuits. I’m fortunate to have supportive teachers in my department who help re-teach me the lessons and assist whenever challenges arise. Without their constant support, I would have been struggling. Their guidance makes it easier to navigate both worlds while I continue to learn and grow.

What role has the college and your mentor played in shaping your journey as a performer and helping you reach such remarkable milestones?

My mentor has been instrumental in shaping my ongoing journey as a performer and helping me reach remarkable milestones. She has not only kept us grounded but also continuously encouraged us to push our boundaries. In addition, my teammates have been like mentors- teaching, guiding, and collaboratively resolving challenges together. This spirit of teamwork embodies how I believe a team should operate: when we all support and learn from each other, every individual can emerge to achieve great things. Our dear Lovepreet ma’am has kept the team intact, offering her guidance and knowledge in the most effective manner, which in turn results in the best outputs from all of us.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the support of my college, which has served as a great cheerleader in my pursuits. Their constant encouragement and belief in our potential have further fuels my passion and commitment. Together, the guidance, the collaborative spirit of my teammates, and the nurturing environment that drives us all towards excellence.

In what ways do you think dance contributes to personal growth and confidence building

Dance shapes not just the body, but also the mind and character, making individuals more expressive, resilient, and self-assured. One of the most beautiful memories from my time in South Africa was the opportunity to accompany individuals who have immense passion for their art forms. One of them being Ms. Shubhjeet Kaur, a renowned Kathak professional. One particular statement she made has stayed with me ever since- she said, “We don’t just do Kathak, we have to wear Kathak everywhere we go.”

That line touched me deeply, it reminded me that dance isn’t just something we perform- it’s something we live. It’s in our presence, our behavior, our grace, and the way we carry our culture with pride wherever we are. Her words added a whole new layer of meaning to my journey as a performer. It made me realise how dance directly affects personalities in the best possible way and regardless of the form, dance highly contributes to personal growth as well as confidence.

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