Gitikka Ganju Dhar is one of the leading public speakers in India. Recently she won the WOW Asia Awards 2018 in the category- Live artist of the decade. She also is a part of the show Sehat Ki Rasoi. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented lady in an exclusive chat. Excerpts..

How did you begin your journey of being a public speaker?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar -It was never my goal to become an anchor. I was not even aware that there was a category such as this. I was training to be a filmmaker at the Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia. I was all set to apply for a job as a camera person at a news television production house. Our college had these massive studios which professional producers would hire for shoots. One of them offered me a television show, to host. So actually, I started my career in talk with television. I then got a call from Magnum Nexus, a leading event management agency of the time who was handling Honda’s presence at the Auto Expo. I was auditioned and selected as one of the two main anchors of the seven day event. So, yes, technically I did not struggle. I was paid very well. I decided to venture further, spent a few years mulling and musing over the decision. Meanwhile the industry started calling and work began pouring in. I had taken off before I even knew it, even before I was fully sure that this is what I wanted to do. So, mine is a classic case of destiny taking charge. If there ever was an accidental anchor, it is me, it is me!

Have you always wanted to become a public speaker?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –No, as I said I wanted to work in film industry, as a creative hand. I was a regular at debating in school and college, was lucky to bring home a medal or two, but in my mind, public speaking was not even an option as a career. As a child, I was painfully shy and lacking confidence. I was also a rebel without a cause and dreamy to a fault. Day dreaming was my favourite pastime. Mine is a classic case of destiny taking charge because in all the dreams I dreamt of as a child about a million things I wanted to be, I never ever dreamt of being an anchor. I still find it difficult to believe that I made it so far. The universe conspired and all that jazz!

You have shared the stage with many eminent personalities. How was the experience?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –The experiences have mostly been pleasant. People like the Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Amitabh Bachchan, Shri Narendra Modi, AR Rahman, Michelle Obama are where they are for a good reason. Just being in their company on stage, watching them prepare their piece or deliver a speech or interact with people teaches one a lot. Even if one can imbibe a few small things from such influencers, it may make a big difference in your approach to work and life. The one common attribute that I have observed in greats is their utter dedication to the job or craft or the goal. They do not leave a stone unturned and pursue their objectives with a unique zeal. It is their karma that has always inspired me, not their fame or power.

How do you prepare yourself for public speaking?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –For a television shoot, one can only internalize the script if it is given to you prior to the shoot. Most of the time, we are handed the words, on location. So, television requires very little preparation prior to execution. On the other hand, if I am to host a structured corporate or government show or conference, the research, the study, scripting and internalizing the content is done before I arrive at the venue. Due to the many years of experience, I more or less understand what will work and what will not be approved by the client. Mostly, I am a 99% ready to roll statistic, when I report for an event. Given the many years spent executing events, I could render almost the same level of content and performance if I prepped on location, just a few hours prior to the show. But for the sake of peace of mind of my client, I try and render complete transparency with what is going to be said about their brand or speaker or guest. Also, I have observed that one may or may not be able to come up with a brilliant content impromptu on stage, so why leave it to chance. In any case, all proficient anchors can come up with sparkling lines and quips, spontaneously, that is not a big deal. One has to strive to raise the bar and make sure that almost everything that is said should aim to delight, educate or resonate with your audience. In my case, preparation helps me to deliver satisfactory  levels of performance. Actors prepare right? Why should an anchor not prepare? I have a yellow notebook in which through the year, I note ideas, lines, songs, quotes and thoughts for a few of the favourite properties that I host. Some ideas have come to me on a flight, some while in bed at home and some while getting a hair-cut. I scribble in my notebook, lest I forget. So, beyond the project specific prep, one must also constantly devour content online or offline and try and watch work being done across the world. Honing of the craft is an organic process. It is ever alive, a process.

You are also working on the small screen with Sehat Ki Rasoi. How has the experience been like?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –The experience has been awesome. We shot for quite a few episodes and the whole concept of bringing back India’s traditional forgotten cuisine is such a wonderful concept to work on. To top it all the very fact that the whole cast and crew comprised of women. The whole team had loads of fun shooting and learning some new things about our forgotten cuisine which I brought back home to implement. BAG Films is where I had started my journey as an anchor, so it was very special working with them after all these years.

What advice will you give to budding public speakers?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –I myself haven’t explored this genre to the fullest and thus I don’t feel fit enough to advice budding public speakers. I also feel that people should carve their own path and create their own identities.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –It is a simple trade-off. What is the point of working if you do not find enough time to savour your personal life? I have a professional dream and I have a set standard which I need to maintain in my personal life. The professional dream should not adversely impact the quality of my personal life. I work very hard and can be quite a grouch on days when I am writing content. But such days are restricted to a healthy number. When I work, I give it a hundred percent. I focus sharply to deliver what is expected of me. It consumes a lot of inner energy to constantly strive to maintain a certain standard of quality at work, to constantly try to innovate and raise the bar. It tires me a great deal. So, once the job is done, I retreat into my shell. I am unable to find the time or energy to be socially active or to make appearances or to network within professional circles. I hardly ever get to sleep in the afternoon. I hardly ever get time for a leisurely spa session. These are small compromises I have made peace with. I hope my work speaks for me. I hope my presence on digital media does the rest. Beyond this, I let go and immerse myself in the simple life I have built for myself in Mumbai.

Since you are the mother of an 8 year old, what advice will you give to working mothers?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –On some days, when I think back, I marvel at my own perseverance. How did I pull through her initial years! I must begin by applauding my daughter’s inherently easy, jovial nature as a toddler and the gigantic contribution my parents made as primary baby sitters on constant call. I could have not accomplished my comeback without their support. I was a hands-on mother and a nervous one at that. From carrying her in a baby sling, walking endlessly at airports, to scripting while she slept, to attending meetings when she went to Play School, to combing the earth for a good nannies, to waking up at the crack of dawn to reply to mails, I did it all, tirelessly, pushing my body and my mind into a frantic rhythm that it was not used to. Now she is eight. She is very proud of my work and celebrates it. As a working mother, one has to be a bit of a superwoman. It is tough, not impossible. It will pass and one day you and your child can look back and say, we did it! I have always given her my best. Just, give it your best. You can do it. One day when they cross a certain age, it will get easier and you will look back with a smile.

What is next in line for you professionally?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar –I am now expanding my repertoire on stage as a moderator and chat show host, a few years from now I will adorn the garb of a speaker, I will write books I have been lusting to write, but, I will talk the stage till I stand, it is after all my greatest love of all.

We wish Gitikka all the best and we hope that her dreams are fulfilled!!