Mumbai Sep 11
Bollywood veteran Kalpana Iyer, openly remembered as the Bollywood dancing diva of the 70s and 80s, caught a unique space for herself with her bold screen presence and high-energy performances.
The 70-year-old actress recently took to her social media account to share her views on the “art of letting go and grace of accepting change”. “There was a time when we believed we had control over everything: our days, our children, our careers, even the direction of life itself. We planned carefully, holding tight to dreams, routines, and people. And perhaps that was needed then. Life asked us to build, to care, to lead, and to protect. But slowly, life shifts,” wrote Iyer.
“One by one, the things we held so tightly start slipping away—not always with pain, but sometimes with quiet dignity. The children grow up and move away—not out of disregard, but because they must build their own lives. Beloved homes are sold, not because they weren't cherished, but because climbing those stairs became harder. Our roles – as manager, mother, engineer, and teacher – fade into the background, like names written in soft sand,” she further added. “And then, there is a moment—a quiet afternoon, perhaps—when we look around and realise: life has changed. The people we used to call every day now send messages. The faces around us are new. Even our own reflection carries gentle lines we never noticed forming. But instead of grief, something else begins to settle in. A kind of peace.* Adding to her mature stance, she wrote, “We understand, slowly, that letting go is not about losing. It’s about making room—for stillness, for peace, for reflection. Letting go means allowing our hearts to carry memories without chains. It means accepting that we are no longer the centre of the world—but we are still part of it, deeply and beautifully.”
Elaborating smoothly on how letting go is a matter of grace, she mentioned, “Letting go is not weakness. It is grace—the grace of the river that flows forward, not resisting the rocks, but dancing around them. It is in these years—when the world becomes quieter—that we learn the true strength of acceptance. We hold less, but we feel more. We chase less, but we appreciate more. We speak less, but what we say carries depth. And so we sit by the window, sip our tea, and smile, not because life was perfect, but because we lived, we loved, and we let go… with grace.”
Kalpana also mentioned that the words were not hers and she is unaware of the author, but she expressed appreciation towards the beautiful writing. “(Author unknown) P.S. I take no credit for the words or any part of this beautiful piece. A friend shared it, and I have shared it with the best intentions.” For the uninitiated, Kalpana Iyer was a big name in the 70-80 era of Bollywood. Iyer started out as a model but quickly became a sought-after name in films for her cabaret and disco numbers that defined the era of Bollywood. Songs like “Hari Om Hari” from "Pyar Dushman", "Tu Mujhe Jaan" from "Wardaat", “Ramba Ho Ho” from “Armaan”, and the cult disco hit “Koi Yahan Nache Nache” from “Disco Dancer” cemented her place as an unforgettable performer and dancing star of Bollywood. While contemporaries like Helen and Bindu dominated earlier decades, Kalpana brought a fresh attitude to the screen and stood out for her energy, flamboyance and grace. She also appeared in movies like “Satte Pe Satta”, "Anjaam”, and “Hum Saath Saath Hain”, leaving behind a legacy of being one of the most charismatic performers of all time.
