Women who move us
Seeta Patel
Seeta Patel is an award-winning UK-based choreographer and dancer, known for her striking fusion of Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance. She has collaborated with eminent artists and companies including Shobana Jeyasingh and DV8. Her acclaimed works - notably Not Today’s Yesterday and The Rite of Spring - toured globally, earning awards and an Olivier nomination. Also active in film and theatre, she produced the short dance film The Art of Defining Me and choreographed for stage and opera. In 2024, she became an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells. Through her company, now a National Portfolio Organisation, she champions South Asian dance internationally and mentors emerging Bharatanatyam artists.
When was the moment you knew you wanted a career in dance?
I always knew I needed to dance from about the age of 12 when I started getting serious about it. But it wasn't really something I even knew could be a career. So I did what most immigrant Indian people do and went to uni, studied medicine…. And then I was offered a chance to dance. I took it and now it's been 20+ years and I haven't looked back.
What is a quote you live by?
Just because you can doesn't mean you should'. This has kept me grounded and (mostly) out of trouble.
If you could have lunch with any woman (living or from the past), who would you pick and why?
I suspect someone like Arundhati Roy. She speaks truth to power through her writing, and I really respect the courage it takes to do that. I hope I am and can keep doing the same in my small sphere of influence.
Is it more important to be liked or respected?
Respected. I know I'm kind even if people sometimes think I'm not nice or warm and fuzzy. I try to keep my moral compass well oiled.
How do you manage stress?
Shower my cat with non consensual cuddles!
Where is your happy place?
In my home
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which would you be and why?
Not sure. But likely something scary and spikey on the outside and soft and delicious inside.
In our dance sector, what do you think is the most pressing issue for women and girls right now and what are you doing about it?
I think there are lots of issues. It would be hard to say what's most pressing and many of these issues are interlinked by means of patriarchy, capitalism and white supremacy. I just try to make an impact within my field by supporting young talent. Most of who are women trying to find their creative voices.
What’s something you regret in your professional dance career?
I regret being so influenced by toxic people and internalising so much that I lost part of myself.
What question do you wish more people would ask you?
Can I give u a hug?
What are the 3 leadership traits that best define you?
Integrity, sound moral compass, no pretense
What book/film/documentary do you recommend most to others?
Too many to pick from. But I love strictly ballroom, terminator 2 and in the mood for love. I suspect this says a lot about me.
Which lesson has been the hardest to learn?
The hardwork doesn't always/often equal success. Neither does talent sadly.
What's next for you?
Build the company and my work until I can't anymore.
Cinderella, Pocahontas, Alice in Wonderland or Malefica?
I don't like Disney.
Recommendations