As a trained professional Latin dancer/ instructor, the multi-talented Nalini Akal has been appearing more frequently, either individually or with members of her dance group N9, at many events throughout the country. She has danced, acted, judged, produced, hosted and choreographed and her resumé in these areas is long and impressive. Akal has attained a BA degree from UWI with Upper Second Class honours in Film Production. Most recently, she has performed at the inauguration of President Anthony Carmona, for the Chinese president on his recent visit, has been a judge at the Best Village competition, has danced at many private, social and corporate functions and at Caricom’s 40th anniversary celebrations. She was the first to open and offer classes on a sustained basis in the art of belly dancing in Trinidad, an art form for which she has become well-known on the local scene. The bright, beautiful and articulate artiste and the Sunday Guardian combined recently for a memorable and insightful interview.
Q: What inspires you to do what you do?
A: Many things inspire me to dance, teach and choreograph. I dance for the very reason that I breathe—it would be painful in my spirit if I didn’t. My sister Jody actually alerted me about that feeling recently as it is a common one for anyone who wants to pursue their dreams. It is the burning heartache when you wake up in the morning and do not pursue that call. Some may think that just because I dance I don’t get that feeling, but it doesn’t mean that my other talents stay silent…my film ideas and my future paintings all but scream at me every morning. N9 dance students are also an inspiration as I learn from them as well. I believe we are a kind of community and surely have a belief system that makes us a very unique group. When it comes to choreography I am inspired by the very process of creating the world of our stories—every detail I relish from music choices to costume design.
Who were the people who have influenced you the most in your career and in life in general, and how did they?
My family influences a lot of the decisions that I have made and the paths that I have chosen to follow. Trust me, there is always an easy way filled with spiritual compromise, I nickname that one “The devil’s way.” It’s so gratifying and bright as well as a deception of success and I have seen many people choose it and lose it just as quickly. Influenced by a lovely book called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, there is one simple truth that we cannot deny as quoted from the book and that is “God loves artists.” He will always take care of us; that belief keeps me going.
What advice would you give to anyone contemplating a vocation such as yours?
My advice to anyone contemplating a life in the arts is to 1) Keep your pores open—be aware of everything and experience the moment at all times. 2) Be Nice! It just makes the work so much easier and pleasant when we are polite, and many a door have been opened to me by the most unexpected people. 3) Take care of yourself—you are the working instrument so rest, strengthen, meditate and laugh out loud! 4) Never undersell yourself and 5) There is always more to learn! Of course there is a lot more advice to give but that would take away from their own experiences. I have found that until the mind is ready the advice is empty.
Is this your full time ‘work’?
N9 Dance Company is my full time job, and I do find myself evolving yet again as I put new projects together. I see these changes more like innovations that will work synergies with my dance career, and I am excited for the new opportunities.
What jobs have you held before becoming an entertainer on a full time basis?
I worked at Angostura, Carasol, TV6, Wire Newspaper and TBC radio, all of which I tackled on a daily basis in a creative manner. You have to remember artists also get bored easily!
Of all your performances which would you like a first time audience to experience?
When it comes to seeing a performance, seeing my work for the first time I prefer them to see the dance of the nine yard veil, and I literally tell a story with the fabric moving through the air.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I have lived the majority of my life around the Queen’s Park Savannah, a definite blessing especially around Carnival time.
At which schools/institutions did you receive your education?
My school life started at Woodbrook Presbyterian, Maria Regina, followed by St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain, and UWI to attain my film degree.
What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?
My most difficult decision involved me choosing calm and peace over anger and ego which has led to forgiveness and an introduction to real prayer. People hurt us and we have to find ways to release it or else it eats us up inside. As I tell my dancers, “Stress is like drinking from a poisoned cup and waiting for the other person to die.”
What is an interesting facet of your personality that most people do not know about you?
A lot of people don’t know how much I truly care for the people of my country. I’m proud to be Trinidadian as well as Tobagonian. I create because of opportunities afforded to me here, in this space, and for that I am grateful.
Who was your hero growing up (fictional or real or both) and why? And who do you admire most today?
My mom and my aunts are definite heroes to me. I understand them so much more now, and now I’m blown away by what they have done for me. We see only one side in youth and multiple sides as we mature. No need to look very far, I was blessed with strong female characters in my life.
What daily motto/credo do you live by and in three words, your recipe for success?
I live by the N9 credo: “The spirit of the body is master of the body.” Replace spirit with breath and all of your power in your life is dictated by it. So a recipe for success: “Live, love and laugh out loud!”
When and how did you get into entertaining?
I always had it. I can tell you that as a kid I recognised the signs within myself and I went ahead fearlessly, and even when I was bypassed for something I never held onto the hurt knowing that better would be waiting around the corner for me.
Of all your accolades, accomplishments, prizes and awards which do you rate as extremely special?
My performance for the National Awards last year was very special. Keshorn Walcott had won and the hype for the event was larger than life. I was backstage as the only singular dancer to perform. Then Mungal Patasar comes up to me and says “you made it.” I actually felt a flutter of mild nervousness, not for the event but at the milestone that it was for me. Then as I stepped out on stage to perform with the 18 feet of gold silk, I saw Peter Minshall and to me he had his hands clasped above his black hat in jubilation at the drama of the entrance for the dance. That performance is a blank to me after that since I performed on complete spirit that night.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
My vision in five to ten years has a lot of versions and I am open to all of them, but I can say that most of my previous visions from five to ten years ago have come true!
What is/are the most important lesson/s you’ve learned in life?
My most important revelation so far is that my mind creates my truth, my lies and my reality.
What advice would you give to the young people of T&T?
An education is not just a piece of paper, it is designed to help you become the best individual you want to be in a shorter time frame!
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
One of my new students told me that I don’t see them as students but as they truly are...in other words their true selves.
If you had to switch places with someone else for a week who would that be?
I would definitely switch places with someone who had an all access pass to Disney World! Hey, you said for the week right!
What do you want to accomplish with your talent?
The things that I still have to accomplish with my talent are currently in the works but the main purpose is to unify people. When we perform at weddings and birthday parties we are part of their collective memory, and we always go for a beautiful and fun experience for them.
What are your most prized possessions?
My most prized possessions include my family and the love we have that gets us through the most trying of storms.
What goals and or ambitions do you still have?
I have a lot of goals and ambitions but I refuse to pressure myself into living always looking forward too far into the future. I appreciate the ‘now’, it is all we truly have in time and space.
If you could dine with anyone in history who would it be and why? What dinner conversation would you have with that person?
Pablo Picasso—one of my favourite artists! We would have a Spanish meal, I would dance flamenco and then he would give me a tour of his works. What more could you want?
Describe yourself in two words—one beginning with N, the other with A, your initials.
Natural, Artist
How can we find out more about you and keep up to date with your latest news?
N9dance.com; Facebook: Nalini Akal and N9 Dance Company fan pages; Twitter: N9 dance