Women have always been known to be a passionate lot. From their soft hearts and range of emotions, to their choice of music and movies and bedroom décor, there exudes a sense of passion everywhere.
Professional women the world over have often tried to inculcate this everyday passion into their work lives. One of them decided to pursue two of her greatest passions, and turn them both into a small and successful venture, all on her own.
So let’s meet and hear the story of the young, dynamic dancing jeweller, Unnati Jhaveri, in a conversation with Paroma Sen-Basu
How long has it been since you started “Unnati Jewels” and “Unnati Kathak Lessons”?
I started Unnati Jewels when I was very young, at the age of 21, in India in 2006. When I moved to Vancouver, I started another venture there in 2009.
I have always been fond of dancing. I trained at the Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan for five years in Kathak. I started teaching dance in Vancouver in 2011.
Where did you learn about jewellery designing and what made you choose a career in this field?
I learnt jewellery designing from Gautam Banerjee’s Academy of Jewellery Design. I have been born and brought up in a family, where diamonds have been a part of our daily routine. My father was a businessman in the jewellery industry.
I learnt diamond grading and was trained under my father. I also went to various other institutes to learn diamond grading and colour stone grading. Since a very early age in my life I developed the passion to work in the same industry, and that’s how I chose this as a career and developed my skills in this particular field.
And as you know diamonds are a girl’s best friend, I could not stay away any longer, and decided at a very early age to grow in this field and pursue this interest. My passion to design and to enhance beauty made me choose a career in this field.
Tell us about your other persona, that of a dancer. How many years have you practiced Kathak? While in India, did you also hold any training sessions?
I have learnt Kathak for 5 years and have been practicing it since I started my training in 2002. When I was in India, I had the opportunity to teach under my teacher. Once I finished my fifth year, I left for Vancouver.
Now that I am settled in Vancouver, I have started teaching since 2011 to children and adults. I am very grateful that I am able to teach my passion to others and spread the joy of dance.