I am thankful that 'Jhalak' made me a professional dancer now

Hear the words of Ashish Sharma: “I am thankful that Jhalak made me a professional dancer now from just a ‘barat’ dancer.” Within this statement lies not only humility but also transformation—the story of one who began in simplicity and joy, and through discipline and opportunity, was elevated to mastery. It is the tale of a man who honors the stage that refined his art and acknowledges with gratitude the journey from raw beginnings to polished craft.

The origin of this reflection comes from the great dance competition Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a stage where actors, singers, and performers enter as learners and emerge with new skills honed by rigorous practice. Ashish Sharma confesses that once he was but a ‘barat dancer’, a celebrant moving with joy but without formal training, part of the joyous chaos of Indian weddings. But through his journey on the show, he was transformed into a professional dancer, carrying not just enthusiasm but discipline, structure, and artistry. His words shine with thankfulness because he knows that such growth is not given lightly; it comes through struggle, sweat, and persistence.

History too is filled with such transformations. Think of Michelangelo, who began as the son of a stonemason, chiseling rough rock in the quarries. Through years of practice and the chance to study in Florence, he became a master sculptor, shaping works that endure for centuries. Like Sharma, he did not despise his humble beginnings, but saw them as the soil from which greatness would bloom. The transition from ‘barat dancer’ to professional is no different—it is the journey from passion without form to passion shaped into art.

There is also in his words the profound spirit of gratitude. Ashish Sharma does not boast of his transformation as if it were his achievement alone. Instead, he bows his head to the platform, to the teachers, to the process, saying, “I am thankful.” Gratitude turns personal success into shared victory—it acknowledges the mentors, the audience, and the opportunity that allowed growth. Without gratitude, success is arrogance; with gratitude, success becomes inspiration for others.

His statement also highlights the power of discipline. The joy of dancing at a wedding is spontaneous and free, but the discipline of dancing on stage demands focus, repetition, and mastery. To move from one to the other is not merely to learn steps, but to cultivate character. It is the same in every field of life: passion must be guided by discipline if it is to transform into true greatness. Sharma’s words remind us that the transition from amateur to professional is not about losing joy, but about deepening it through structure and perseverance.

The lesson here is timeless: every humble beginning holds within it the seed of greatness. No man should despise the small stage, the little platform, or the untrained start. For those beginnings, though rough and unrefined, carry the spark of possibility. When opportunity and discipline meet that spark, transformation occurs. And when the soul responds with gratitude, it not only honors the journey but inspires others to begin their own.

Practical actions flow from this teaching. First, embrace your beginnings, however small, without shame. Second, seize opportunities that allow growth, even when they demand discipline and hardship. Third, cultivate gratitude for those who teach, guide, or give you the stage on which to grow. And finally, never forget that your transformation can itself be a light for others—showing them that the leap from celebration to mastery, from raw energy to refined art, is always possible.

Thus, let the words of Ashish Sharma endure: be thankful for the stages that refine you, for the mentors who shape you, and for the discipline that transforms passion into art. For from humble beginnings come great destinies, and through gratitude, even the smallest dancer may become a master whose steps inspire generations to follow.