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   Sugam Culture and Heritage Foundation presented LIFETIME ARTS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to Bharatanatyam dancer Dr. Ajith Bhaskar and Odissi dancer Geetha Shankaran-Lam, on July 10, 2025 at Kuala Lumpur.  Rukmini Vijayakumar received the KUMAR GANDHARVA AWARD from the Madhya Pradesh govt on June 26, 2025.  Kathak exponent and teacher KUMKUM ADARSH, a disciple of Pandit Lacchu Maharaj, passed away after a prolonged illness on July 5, 2025. She was 65. After her guru's demise in 1978, she established Lachhu Maharaj Ballet Centre in 1982. Kumkumar Adarsh was a recipient of the Yash Bharti, Devi, the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi awards and several other honours. She was also an "A" grade Akashvani artiste. She is survived by her husband Adarsh and daughter Purvi.  Guru THIYAM SURYAMUKHI DEVI expired on 29th June 2025. She was 90. She was a celebrated Manipuri classical dancer known for her profound contributions to the art form over five decades. Her work primarily focused on enriching and promoting Manipuri classical dance, including traditional forms like Raas Leela, Lai Haraoba, and tribal folk traditions. She was revered for her graceful artistry, intricate hand gestures (mudras), devotional storytelling, and her unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Manipuri dance both nationally and globally as a performer and a teacher. More info: Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi (June 1, 1935 - June 29, 2025) - Dr. Sinam Basu Singh As of June 23, 2025 all applicants for US visas F, M, J and all non-immigrant visas to switch their privacy settings of their social media accounts to PUBLIC to facilitate vetting which is said was necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under law. This has been described as a “national security decision” by Homeland Security. Visa officers will search all user names and handles applicants have used in the last 5 years. “Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas”. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has responded by asserting that such applications should be assessed strictly on merit.  Jai Govinda’s book ‘SIMPLY BHARATA NATYAM’ has been released by Mandala Arts and Culture. It is a simple introduction to the various aspects of the dance form. This hardbound book is supported by some 50 beautiful pictures and illustrations. For more info, check mandalarts.ca  At the 36th annual day celebrations of ABHAI on July 5, 2025 at Chennai, the following artistes received awards for 2025: NATYA KALANIDHI: NS Jayalakshmi and Krishnakumari Narendran, PRAVASI NATYA KALANIDHI: Ramli Ibrahim, NRITHYA PERUNJYOTHI: Roja Kannan, NARTHAKA NIPUNA: L Narendra Kumar, GANDHARVA NIPUNA: Nandini Anand, NAATAR KALAI VITHAGAR: Thilagavathi Palani, YUVA NRITHYA SADHAKA: Shruthi Krishnaswamy and Aishwarya Rajkumar.   Krishna Gana Sabha confers the NRITHYA CHOODAMANI award on acharya G NARENDRA at the inauguration of the 69th Margazhi Mela on December 12, 2025 at Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Founder-Director of Avigna Dance Ensemble in Chennai, he trained at the Kalakshetra Foundation where he completed his Post Diploma in Bharatanatyam. He also worked as a faculty at Bharatakalanjali established by the Dhananjayans. SANGEETHA CHOODAMANI award goes to mridanga vidwan K.V. PRASAD.  Bharatanatyam dancer URMILA SATYANARAYANA is to receive the NRITYA KALANIDHI award from Madras Music Academy for 2025. MADAMBI SUBRAMANIA NAMBOODIRI will receive the TTK AWARD for Kathakali music.  Bharatanatyam Guru Padmini Ravi to receive the SHANTALA NATYA PRASHASTI by the Govt of Karnataka.  Sonal Mansingh to receive SRIMANTA SANKARDEVA AWARD, the highest honor given by govt of Assam once in 3 years.  The KALIDAS SAMMAN of Govt of Madhya Pradesh goes to Dr. Sandhya Purecha and Pandit Uday Bhawalkar. The other awardees include: Sudha Raghuraman (RASHTRIYA KUMAR GANDHARVA SAMMAN), Kalpana Zokarkar and Pt Akhilesh Gundecha (SHIKHAR SAMMAN). Highlights ; Obituaries |
