 |
    |
|
|
|
   South African artist, novelist and dance historian DONOVAN ROEBERT passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 8, 2026. He founded and was director of the South African Friends of Tibet from 2000 to 2012. He taught Buddhist theory and practice from 2007 to 2011. Passionate about Indian dance, he generously shared his invaluable knowledge on Indian dance, especially through his pictorial essays featuring rare vintage dance photos. He derived great joy from the world of classical Indian dance, and the research he did in this field was an endlessly inspiring pursuit. His insightful essays, his research perspectives and keen documentation have touched the hearts of many in the arts community.  DR PADMAJA SURESH received the SASWATA KALA POSHAKA AWARD at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, from the Saswatam cultural organisation based out of UK, on May 2, 2026.  Dr. N ANDAL, Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher from Avinashi, Tirupur district, Tamilnadu, received the NATIONAL HONOR OF DISTINCTION of the National Honor Foundation of India, from President Droupadi Murmu, on April 25, 2026.  JG College of Performing Arts and Ahmedabad South Indian Association presented LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to 90-year-old Guru ELAKSHIBEN THAKORE on May 2, 2026 at Ahmedabad during celebrations of World Dance.  RASHME HEGDE GOPI, the founder of Shankaraa Foundation in Bangalore, passed away on April 19, 2026. She was the heart and force behind Shankaraa, a space she built with conviction and care, shaped by her lifelong commitment to the arts. She was a Karnataka State Rajyotsava awardee and has also received Karnataka Kalashree Award from Sangeet Nritya Academy.  Shrishti Center of Performing Arts presented MAYA RAO MEMORIAL AWARD to light designer CHANDRAKUMAR SINGH on May 2, 2026 at Bangalore. The SHRISHTI NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR ARTS went to Bharatanatyam artiste PRATHIBHA PRAHLAD and theater artiste B. JAYASHREE on May 3, 2026.  Government of Karnataka to confer NATYA RANI SHANTALA AWARD 2026 on Bharatanatyam dancer PRATHIBHA PRAHLAD. This is the highest Karnataka State Govt award instituted for the art of dance.  Latvian Bharatanatyam dancer VIJA VETRA passed away on April 12, 2026. She was 103. More info: Vija Vetra: A century of dance - Prakhar Bajpai  Madras Music Academy announced its dance awardees for 2026. NRITYA KALANIDHI: G Narendra NRITYA KALA ACHARYA: A Janardhanan DANCE MUSICIAN AWARD: S Rajeswari and TK Padmanabhan Dance awardees will receive the awards at the inauguration of The Music Academy's 20th Annual Dance Festival on January 3, 2027.  The Kerala Government's top national cultural award with a cash prize of Rs.3 lakhs in the name of legendary Guru Gopinath, will be given to the Bharatanatyam couple V.P. DHANANJAYAN and SHANTA DHANANJAYAN and Kerala Natanam artiste AMBIKA MOHAN. This Puraskar is organized by Guru Gopinath Natana Gramam on behalf of the cultural department. The awards will be given shortly by the Chief Minister of the State.  The Padma awards have been announced on Jan 25, 2026. PADMA BHUSHAN: Dr. Shatavadhani R Ganesh (Karnataka) PADMA SHRI: Deepika Reddy (Telangana), Kalamandalam Vimala Menon (Kerala)  Urmila Sathyanarayanan is the convenor of the Natya Kala Conference in 2026 and 2027. Highlights ; Obituaries |
