Sushree Manyata Dash is multi-talented. A class VII student of Guru Nanak Public School, Manyata excels in everything she does from acting, dancing, and singing to painting and other co-curricular activities.
Born to businessman Janardan and homemaker Sukhalata Dash, Manyata is also a known face on television, having shown her acting prowess on shows like Ama Ghara Lakhmi, ACP Nikita, Tupur Tapar, Pari, To Agana Ra Tulasi Mun, Samparak Hrudaya Ra, To Pain Mu on regional channels and Beti Sasural Ki on Anjan TV.
Besides, Manyata is also a Grade A theatre and music artiste of All India Radio and has regaled audiences with her mellifluous voice on shows like Dil Hai Hindustani and Super Dancer, aired on Star Plus and Sony, respectively. Her repertoire doesn’t end there. She has also been part of a number of reality shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs, Junior Melody, Nupur, Dance Odisha Dance and Prathama Swara. Add to her resume a short film, Mulyayan.
Needless to say, Manyata is a star in her own right. “She also takes great interest in fancy dress competitions. Her appearance as Rani Lakhmi Bi, Jalebi Bai, Bhagat Singh and a farmer drew immense appreciation from both judges and audiences. This is how she took up acting,” says Sukhalata.
Although Manyata is an equally good singer and dancer, she is more inclined towards acting. She came into the spotlight after showcasing her acting skills on Odisha’s Best Dramebaaz that was aired on Sarthak channel. Manyata was one of the finalists on the show. “There is one script that I have enacted at many shows and won awards. It’s about the plight of a motherless child,” says Manyata.
“Going by the script, I ask God, why am I deprived of a mother’s love. ‘When you came into the world as Lord Krishna, you were blessed with the love of two mothers — Devaki and Yashoda. My mother died after giving birth to me and everyone blames me for her death. It is easy to be God. Get born in this world as a motherless child and you will understand the pain of people like us’,” she reads from the script.
The sensitivity of the script coupled with Manyata’s power-packed performance has won millions of hearts time and again. Every time she has enacted this script, she has won the first prize. “I recently performed this in front of prominent Odia actor Choudhury Bikash Dash at a cultural event organised by Spandan Dance Academy at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. My performance brought tears to his eyes,” says the child actress.
So moved was Dash that he went up to Manyata and said, “I am known to make people cry in films and television shows. But, today, you made me cry. You will grow up to be a good actor.”
“Earlier, all three judges, Priya Ma’am, Pintu Sir and Dev Sir gave a standing ovation and praised me for my performance on Odisha’s Best Dramebaaz,” says Manyata.
Sukhalata says that acting comes naturally to Manyata. Her Hindustani classical and contemporary singing skills are honed by Guru Artabandhu Bhol and Sarada Prasanna Sahu, respectively. “She is equally good at academics and used to secure 95 per cent. However, after she scored 90 per cent, I decided she should take a break from her dance classes. After all, education is of utmost importance,” says Sukhalata.
RASHMI REKHA DAS, OP