A dancer who is also great at football: Meet Atisha Pratap Rudy

She is a footballer, swimmer, adventure sport lover and dancer all rolled into one. Kuchipudi dancer Atisha Pratap Rudy didn't really want to pursue classical dance but after receiving accolades from the former President Late APJ Abdul Kalam, she realised all that hard work really paid off. "My mom insisted I learnt the dance form and not leave it half way," she reckons sharing the initial resistance she expressed to learn the dance form.

"Dance is like meditation. I was skilled to dance and it's something that re-energises your life," says Atisha who travels across India and the world giving performances. "Dance has built my concentration and brought me focus."

When not on stage, she plays football. Atisha represented India in football as a junior. She also dabbles in cricket, swimming and riding. "I love sport and dance equally, even though they belong to extreme ends. One is graceful and the other so vigorous."

Atisha Pratap Rudy is part of our special series, She's Building India presented by Dalmia Cement.