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Sonali Bhadauria: From Software Engineer to Dance Sensation

Image Source: Social Media Account

Table of Contents

In the realm of Indian dance and social media, few names shine as brightly as Sonali Bhadauria. Her journey from a software engineer to a renowned dancer, choreographer, and YouTube sensation is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. This article delves into the life, career, and impact of Sonali Bhadauria, exploring how she transformed her love for dance into a successful career that inspires millions.

Key Information

AttributeDetails
Full NameSonali Bhadauria
NicknameSona
ParentsFather: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria (Indian Navy Officer)
Mother: Savita Bhadauriya
BirthdayDecember 12, 1989
BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India
SiblingsSister: Ritu Bhadauriya
SpouseKrupesh Solanki (Engineer)
Height168 cm (5’6″)
WeightApproximately 55 kg (121 lbs)
Reasons for Fame– Popular YouTube dancer and choreographer
– Founder of “LiveToDance with Sonali” YouTube channel
– Transition from software engineer to full-time dancer
EducationBE in Computer Science from Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Mumbai

Early Life and Education

Sonali Bhadauria was born on December 12, 1989, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, an officer in the Indian Navy, and Savita Bhadauriya. Growing up in a middle-class family, Sonali was raised alongside her younger sister, Ritu Bhadauriya. From a young age, Sonali exhibited a passion for dance, often mimicking the choreography of Bollywood stars she saw on television.

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Despite her early interest in dance, Sonali’s family, like many middle-class Indian families, emphasized the importance of a stable career. As a result, she was presented with two primary career options: becoming a doctor or an engineer. Ultimately, Sonali chose the path of engineering, pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science at Don Bosco Institute of Technology in Mumbai.

During her college years, Sonali’s love for dance persisted. She managed to attend a few classes at Shiamak Davar’s dance academy, using money her father had given her for coaching classes. This experience, combined with her self-taught skills from watching dance videos on television and YouTube, laid the foundation for her future career in dance.

The Corporate World and Dance

After completing her degree, Sonali began working as a Software Engineer at Infosys in Pune. While this marked the start of a promising career in the tech industry, it did not dampen her passion for dance. During her time at Infosys, Sonali joined the company’s official dance group, “Crazy Legs,” which allowed her to continue pursuing her love for dance alongside her professional responsibilities.

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Sonali’s dedication to dance didn’t stop at participating in the company’s dance group. She continued to hone her skills by learning from YouTube artists like Matt Steffanina and Wildabeast. This period of balancing her corporate job with her dance passion played a crucial role in shaping her future trajectory.

The Birth of “LiveToDance with Sonali”

In 2016, while still working at Infosys, Sonali took a significant step towards turning her passion into a career. She started a YouTube channel called “LiveToDance with Sonali.” The channel began as a platform for Sonali to showcase her wedding choreography work, which she had been doing on the side.

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The first video Sonali uploaded was a couple’s dance routine to the song “Raabta” from the film “Agent Vinod,” featuring herself and her husband, Krupesh Solanki. The positive response she received from viewers encouraged her to take her YouTube presence more seriously.

The Turning Point

The real turning point in Sonali’s YouTube career came with her hip-hop dance routine to the song “Nashe Si Chadh Gayi” from the movie “Befikre.” This video went viral, amassing over 15 million views in just nine months. The overwhelming success of this video marked a significant milestone in Sonali’s journey and played a crucial role in her decision to pursue dance full-time.

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In 2017, after four years of balancing her job at Infosys with her growing YouTube presence, Sonali made the bold decision to quit her software engineering career and focus entirely on dance and content creation. This leap of faith would prove to be transformative for her career and personal fulfillment.

Rise to Fame

Following her decision to pursue dance full-time, Sonali’s career took off rapidly. Her YouTube channel grew exponentially, attracting millions of subscribers who were drawn to her energetic dance covers of both Hindi and English songs. Her unique style, which blends various dance forms with a strong Bollywood influence, resonated with a wide audience.

Some of Sonali’s most popular videos include:

  1. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran – Hip Hop Dance Routine
  2. “Nashe Si Chadh Gayi” from “Befikre” – Bollywood Dance Cover
  3. “Dilbar” from “Satyameva Jayate” – Belly Dance Fusion

These videos, among many others, have garnered millions of views and helped establish Sonali as a prominent figure in the online dance community.

Expanding Horizons

As Sonali’s popularity grew, so did her opportunities. She began conducting dance workshops across India, sharing her knowledge and passion with aspiring dancers. These workshops not only allowed her to connect with her fans on a personal level but also established her as a respected dance instructor.

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In 2018, Sonali reached another milestone when she was invited to perform at the YouTube FanFest held at JioGardens in Mumbai. This event, which showcases some of the platform’s biggest creators, was a testament to Sonali’s growing influence in the digital space.

Style and Influence

Sonali’s dance style is characterized by its versatility and energy. While she is particularly known for her Bollywood and hip-hop routines, she has demonstrated proficiency in various dance forms, including contemporary, jazz, and even classical Indian dance styles. Her ability to fuse different dance forms and create unique choreographies has been a key factor in her success.

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One of the most appealing aspects of Sonali’s content is its accessibility. Her routines are designed to be learnable by dancers of various skill levels, making dance more approachable for her audience. This approach has not only helped her gain a loyal following but has also inspired many of her viewers to take up dance themselves.

Personal Life

Despite her busy career, Sonali maintains a balance between her professional and personal life. She is married to Krupesh Solanki, an engineer who has been supportive of her dance career from the beginning. Krupesh has appeared in several of Sonali’s videos, including her first YouTube upload.

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Sonali is known for her down-to-earth personality and her ability to connect with her fans. She often shares glimpses of her personal life on social media, including her love for animals. She has a pet dog named Bubbles, who occasionally makes appearances in her social media posts.

Achievements and Recognition

Sonali’s journey from a software engineer to a dance sensation has earned her numerous accolades and recognition. Some of her notable achievements include:

  1. YouTube Creator Awards: Sonali has received both the Silver and Gold Creator Awards from YouTube for surpassing 100,000 and 1,000,000 subscribers respectively.
  2. IMWBuzz Digital Awards: In 2019, Sonali won the “Rising Star of the Year” award at the IMWBuzz Digital Awards, recognizing her rapid rise in the digital space.
  3. Brand Collaborations: Sonali’s popularity has led to collaborations with numerous brands, including fitness, fashion, and lifestyle companies.
  4. Television Appearances: She has made appearances on several dance reality shows, including “Dance India Dance: Battle of the Champions” in 2019, where she supported the South Ke Thalaivas team.
  5. Millions of Followers: As of 2024, Sonali’s YouTube channel boasts over 3 million subscribers, with her Instagram following exceeding 2 million.

Impact and Inspiration

Sonali Bhadauria’s journey has inspired countless individuals, particularly young people in India, to pursue their passions. Her story serves as a powerful example of how one can successfully transition from a conventional career path to following their dreams.

Through her content, Sonali has made dance more accessible to a wide audience. Her tutorials and dance covers have encouraged many to take up dance as a form of exercise, self-expression, and even as a potential career path. She has played a significant role in popularizing various dance forms and has contributed to the growing dance culture in India.

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Moreover, Sonali’s success as a content creator has highlighted the potential of digital platforms like YouTube for artists and performers. She has shown how social media can be leveraged to build a successful career in the arts, inspiring many other dancers and artists to showcase their talents online.

Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

While Sonali’s journey appears seamless from the outside, it has not been without its challenges. Some of the obstacles she has faced and overcome include:

  1. Family Expectations: Coming from a middle-class background, choosing dance over a stable engineering career was not an easy decision. Sonali had to convince her family of her passion and potential in dance.
  2. Lack of Formal Training: Unlike many professional dancers, Sonali did not have extensive formal training. She had to work hard to hone her skills and compete with those who had years of professional training.
  3. Balancing Work and Passion: During her early years on YouTube, Sonali had to balance her full-time job with her growing dance career, often working long hours to manage both.
  4. Building an Online Presence: In the competitive world of social media, standing out and building a loyal following required consistent effort and innovation.
  5. Dealing with Criticism: As with any public figure, Sonali has had to deal with online criticism and negative comments. She has maintained a positive attitude and used constructive feedback to improve her craft.

Future Endeavors

As Sonali continues to grow her brand and influence, she has expressed interest in expanding her horizons beyond dance covers and tutorials. Some of her potential future endeavors include:

  1. Launching a Dance Academy: Sonali has hinted at the possibility of opening her own dance school to provide formal training to aspiring dancers.
  2. Choreographing for Bollywood: Given her popularity and skill, there’s potential for Sonali to venture into choreographing for Bollywood films.
  3. Creating Original Music: Some content creators have successfully transitioned into music production, and this could be a future avenue for Sonali to explore.
  4. Fitness Programs: Combining her dance expertise with fitness, Sonali could develop dance-based fitness programs.
  5. Acting: Many social media influencers have made the transition to acting, and this could be a potential path for Sonali as well.

Conclusion

Sonali Bhadauria’s journey from a software engineer to a dance sensation is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the transformative potential of digital platforms. Her story resonates with many who dream of turning their hobbies into successful careers.

Through her YouTube channel “LiveToDance with Sonali,” she has not only built a thriving career for herself but has also inspired millions to embrace dance and pursue their passions. Her success demonstrates that with dedication, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, it’s possible to carve out a unique path to success.

As Sonali continues to evolve as an artist and content creator, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring dancers and content creators alike. She stands as a shining example of how one can successfully blend their passion with the power of digital media to create a meaningful and impactful career.

In the ever-changing landscape of social media and content creation, Sonali Bhadauria has established herself as a prominent figure, and her influence in the world of dance and digital content is likely to continue growing in the years to come.

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