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   Kalasagar presented KALASAGAR AWARDS for the year 2026 on May 28, 2026 at Kaaralmanna Kunchu Nair Memorial Trust Hall, Kerala. The awardees are: K. B. Raj Anand - Art Criticism Kalluvazhi Vasu - Vesham Kottakkal P. D. Namboodiri - Music Kalamandalam Narayanankutty & Vijayamaniyamma - Chenda Kodassery Parameswaran Nair - Maddalam Kottakkal Ramachandran - Chutti  Manipuri dancer KSHETRIMAYUM THOURANISABI DEVI (6 Nov 1934 - 12 May 2026), one of the most revered and distinguished artistes in the field of Manipuri Raas and Nata Sankirtana, passed away at her residence in Imphal due to age related ailments. Her contributions to preserving and enriching our rich cultural heritage have been invaluable. Her passing is an irreparable loss not only to the world of Manipuri Raas and Nata Sankirtana but also to the entire artistic and cultural community. Thouranisabi Devi was associated with Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy where she taught for several years as Guru Rasdhari, Guruhan and Pradhan Guru till her retirement in 2006. She is credited with two books, Diva Ras (2 volumes-1993) and Ras Makha Amsung Nungi Masahk (2006), both based on Manipuri dance. She was a recipient of the Royal Robe from Maharaja Okendrajit Singh and a gold medal from the govt of Manipur. Decorated with several awards like Manipur State Kala Akademi award in 1977 and Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1980, she was honoured by the govt of India in 2003 with Padma Shri.  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.  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.  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 were given by President Droupadi Murmu on May 25, 2026 at New Delhi. 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 |
