Actress and dancer Isha Sharvani made her first public appearance with her four-year-old son recently in Thiruvananthapuram
Arya R (BOMBAY TIMES; February 5, 2020)

When actress-dancer Isha Sharvani recently made an appearance at a fashion show in Thiruvananthapuram, she surprised everyone. With her was her four-year-old son Luca, who walked the ramp with his mom, marking his first public appearance. In a candid chat, Isha talked about her son, but refused to divulge any further details. Excerpts...

Tell us about your son Luca and his recent public appearance...
I feel lucky to have a son like Luca, who loves his mother so much. And I love being a mom. He is my partner in crime and we have a lot of fun together. He loves to perform rope dance and presents it in his own way like a long solo (laughs!). He also wants us to watch him when he performs. I have never tried to impose any steps on him, but he learns watching us. When I wondered how he could dance so well at such a young age, my mom said that I used to dance on tables from the age of two, whenever I heard music or when we were at restaurants. At his first public appearance, Luca was a bit shy and nervous, probably as it was his first time seeing so many lights and cameras.

How is it being a single mother?
I am a fiercely independent woman. I am financially stable, I raise my child on my own. Whether you are a single parent or not, raising a child is a beautiful experience which we learn a lot from. Children are innocent and have a beautiful perspective on this world. As parents, we can care for them, but I believe we shouldn’t think we know more than them. In my experience, all parents can learn a lot from their kids, alongside taking care of them.

Why did you take a break from films?
I am not saying no to films. I say yes when the right projects come along. The break happened as scripts that interest me haven’t been offered. Even recently, I rejected a script as it didn’t portray women in a way in which I was comfortable. I believe in equality and I’m definitely a feminist. My ideologies have also changed with age. Moreover, I have never been a career-oriented actress, though I love acting and have learnt a lot from the industry, working with talented artistes. My favourite genre is comedy and I love stand-up comedy routines. I will definitely try comedy roles if I get a chance.

According to you, what makes a woman desirable?
I believe womanhood means finding happiness within oneself. The most desirable thing for me is a life in peace and serenity. We can spread happiness when we are happy with ourselves. As women, we should feel content and feel our life worth living.

Tell us about your latest dance project, Sari
The performance shows how a sari is weaved out of handloom. It is choreographed and conceptualised by my mother Daksha Seth. Its music and direction are by my father Devissaro. My brother Tao Issaro performs along with me with the other artistes at the show. We have been touring with it across the world for some time now. It might sound like a simple subject, but through the dance, we showcase its journey from being a cotton pod to a handloom fabric, and how it is draped in various styles.

What is dance to you?
For me, dance is many things in life. I started it at the age of two and now I am 35 years old. It is also a therapy for me. When I am stressed, I go to the studio and perform for one and a half hours. I come out with a smile and a relaxed mind. Dance, for me, is also an offering to the universe I believe in.