India, Jan. 4 -- Sitting in the front row, watching a dance show, she patiently unpacks for me the cycle of nine-and-a-half beats to which the piece being performed is set. "That's why it's called Navardha Tala," she says with a twinkle in her eyes. I am amazed at her enthusiasm and humility, as I watch, both wowed and privileged to be sharing the moment with someone whose biography has been launched a few minutes ago.

Kathak Guru, Dr. Shovana Narayan has lived a life of incomparable richness juggling two heavy-duty careers: of being an iconic Kathak dancer and a decorated government officer. And as if that was not enough, she also had to play official host as the spouse of Austrian Ambassador, Herbert Traxl. What she often forgets to co...