Shovana Narayan, a name synonymous of Kathak, is a performer, choreographer, guru, researcher, and author deeply rooted in Hindi and Sanskrit literature and Hindu philosophy. She is also the recipient of the Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and several state honors, and has authored 19 books and numerous articles on dance and culture. Her research has uncovered the living Temple Kathak tradition in the Gangetic belt and documented 19 Kathak villages. She has been featured in films such as Born to Dance (2018), Shovana (2019), and the German documentary Das Geheimnis des Indisches Tanz (1987). In addition to her artistic achievements, she was also crowned Miss UN in 1974. Shovana is regarded as one of the foremost exponents of the art form and her performances are celebrated for their emotive depth, vivacious expression, and rhythmic brilliance.