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December 2010

The first ever RAM GOPAL AWARD FOR BEST MALE DANCER 2010 was given to Sathyanarayana Raju and THE MOHAN KHOKAR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DANCE was given to P Praveen Kumar at a glittering function held at Bangalore on December 30, 2010. The awardees were chosen by Chiranjeev Singh, Susheela Mehta, Elisabeth and Ashish Khokar.

Tapas Cultural Foundation's annual title of VIDHYA TAPASVI for the year 2010 was awarded to veteran musical exponent Prof. T R Subramanian and senior Bharatanatyam Guru Anita Guha for their extraordinary contribution towards “Bhakthi oriented traditional music and dance” on 14th December 2010 at Rani Seethai Hall, Chennai.
On December 11, 2010, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha honoured Mohiniattam dancer Gopika Varma with the NRITHYA CHOODAMANI AWARD and Bharatanatyam dancer Radhika Shurajit with the ACHARYA CHOODAMANI AWARD on the inaugural day of the 55th Art and Dance Festival in Chennai. Given in memory of Late P Obul Reddy and Gnanamba Reddy, they carry a cash award of Rs.2 lakhs for Nrithya Choiodamani and Rs.1 lakh for Acharya Choodamani with gold medals and citations.
On December 11, 2010, at their 59th year art festival in Chennai, The Mylapore Fine Arts Club, honoured dancer Rhadha with NRITHYA KALA NIPUNA.
Bharat Kalachar presented its annual awards to eminent artists on the opening day of the 24th Margazhi Mahotsav on December 10, 2010 at Sri YGP Auditorium, Chennai. Among the awardees are Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna (GNANA KALA BHARATHI), Aruna Sairam (VISWA KALA BHARATHI), MN Rajam (NATYA KALADHAR), L R Easwari (GANA KALADHAR), S B Khanthan (KALA SEVA BHARATHI) and VVS Manian - konnakol and ganjira (SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD). YUVA KALA BHARATI AWARD goes to Ashwathy Srikanth (Bharatanatyam),Ashwini Viswanathan (Bharatanatyam), Bhavya Balasubramanian (Bharatanatyam), Pavithra Bhat (Bharatanatyam) and Ragini Chander Shekar (all rounder in Bharatanatyam).
Bharatanatyam Gurus Krishnakumari Narendran and Prof. CV Chandrasekhar received ACHARYA KALA BHARATHI, Sudhakar received KALA SEVA BARATHI (Commendable service in bringing out excellent DVDs/CDs on various thematic Classical dance and music of reputed artistes and popular stage plays of veteran artistes).
On December 9, 2010, Rama Vaidyanathan received the title VANI KALA SUDHAKARA from Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai.
Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust honoured the following artists during its 41st anniversary on December 5, at Rama Rao Kala Mantap. Padma Subrahmanyam received the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (The award carries a gold medallion, a citation and a purse of Rs. 25,000), Revathi Ramachandran got NRITHYA KALA SIRONMANI and the NCA EXCELLENCE AWARD went to Sujatha Mohan (Bharatanatyam) and R Krishnaswamy (contribution to fine arts).
Brahma Gana Sabha conferered NAATYA PADMAM on Vyjayanthimala Bali on December 3, 2010 at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium, Chennai.
Kartik Fine Arts honoured Lavanya Sankar with NADANA MAMANI on Dec 1, 2010 at Narada Gana Sabha.

Madhavi Chandran, a student of Bharatakalanjali (The Dhananjayans) and Regatta Cultural Academy, Thiruvananthapuram ( Girija Chandran), won the prestigious Madras Music Academy's BEST BHARATANATYAM ARTISTE AWARD (Spirit of Youth award) for this year.

Bharatanatyam dancer Padmaja Suresh been conferred the doctorate degree from Mysore University, Dept of Philosophy for her thesis - The Art of Natya and the Science of Tantra: A correlative study.
Kerala Kalamandalam has conferred its award for the best vocalist of the year on PK Rajeev Kumar.
Nepathya conferred the D APPUKUTTAN NAIR MEMORIAL AWARD on Kathakali actor Kalamandalam Shanmugham on December 12, 2010, at Nepathya, Aluva, Kerala. D.Appukuttan Nair was a renowned Koodiyattam and Kathakali scholar and the architect of the koothambalam at Kerala Kalamandalam. Shanmugham has trained under Kalamandalam Raman Kutty Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi and Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody. Currently, he is a tutor at Ambalapuzha Sandarshan Kathakali Institute.
Pandit Jasraj received the BHARAT MUNI SAMMAN 2010 on 17th December 2010 from Bhubaneswar based cultural Institution Kalingayana Touryatrikam, on the concluding evening of two day Bharat Muni Festival held at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. The Award carries a plaque, a citation and a cash prize of Rs.25,000 and was presented to Pt Jasraj by the Governor of Orissa, Murlidhar Chandrakanta Bhandare. Jasraj is the third maestro to receive this award for his lifetime contribution towards promotion, propagation and popularization of Indian classical art across the globe. The earlier recipients were Bharatanatyam guru Thankamani Kutty in 2008 and octogenarian Kathak virtuoso Pt Birju Maharaj in 2009.

Marking the birthday (9 December) of the Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, the South Delhi Youth Congress honoured distinguished women achievers who have contributed to helping others and initiated social change. Among those felicitated was renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran, who has advocated for gender and peace issues through her classical dance and dance activism. Honouring her was Mr. Yoganand Shastri, Speaker, Delhi Assembly and other Youth Congress leaders.
November 2010
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) inscribes three Indian performing-art forms, the Mudiyettu, a ritual theatre of Kerala; the Chhau dance, a tradition from eastern India; and the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ananda Shankar Jayant received the title and award of NATYA KALA SAGARA from Visakha Music Academy on November 28, 2010 at Visakhapatnam. Earlier recipients were Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam and Dr Padma Subrahmanyam.

ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India) conferred the KALANIDHI AWARD on Bharatanatyam Guru Adyar K Lakshman on November 28, 2010 during the 23rd Annual Day Celebrations at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, at 4pm.

Navia Natarajan received the SANATAN NRITYA PURASKAR 2010 from Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti on November 27, 2010 at New Delhi in recognition of her outstanding talent and potential for the future in Indian classical dance. Pt Shivkumar Sharma received the Sanatan Sangeet Samman 2010 and Sanatan Kalakriti Puraskar went to Tirthankar Biswas for his achievements in the field of painting and sculpture.

Bharatanatyam dancer Padmaja Suresh received the KIRAN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD from Women's International Network on November 25, 2010 at Teenmurthy Bhavan, for excellence and contribution by sharing the art of Bharatanatyam with lesser-sections of children through the institute's project Kalachaitanya.

Bharatanatyam dancer Sujit Vaidya, graduate of the Jai Govinda Dance Academy received the 2010 MAYORS AWARD at a special ceremony in Vancouver on November 24, 2010. Sujit was recognized as best emerging artist in the dance category. It is the first time that a South Asian artist wins this award. He received the award from dancer and choreographer Alvin Tolentino and the mayor of Vancouver, Mr. Gregor Robertson.
Kuchipudi dancer Vyjayanthi Kashi received the KARNATAKA RAJYOTSAVA AWARD for her contribution in the field of Kuchipudi dance, from the Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa, on November 1, 2010 on the Rajyotsava Day, at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.

The Karnataka government chose 182 people, for its prestigious annual Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 25 categories for 2009 and 2010. A 19-member committee, headed by the Chief Minister, selected the award-winners on the basis of merit, social justice and representation for all districts and there was no lobbying or political interference as reported in a section of the media. The award, carries a purse of Rs. 1 lakh, a gold medal, a shawl, citation and memento.
October 2010

On the concluding day of the 4TH NARTAKA FESTIVAL presented by Natyanjali Trust, the NARTAKA AWARD was conferred on Bharatanatyam Guru Udipi Lakshminarayan on October 24, 2010 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai. While he has received numerous awards recognizing him as a good teacher, this is the first time that the 85 year old guru has received an award in recognition of his dancing skills!
Madhu Gopinath and Vakkom Sajeev of Samudra directed and choreographed the AGNI segment of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi for the concluding day of Oct 14, 2010 with 480 artistes from different parts of India.

Bangalore based Bharatanatyam exponent S Raghunandan was awarded BHARATASHREE at the Sawai Gandharwa hall on October 10, 2010 at Bharatotsava 2010 conducted by Nupur Nritya Vihar in Hubli, Dharwad. Bharatotsava is an important platform for young professional artists from India to present Indian classical dances. Vidwan B Nagaraj is the Founder, President of Nupur Nritya Vihar.
September 2010
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, the apex body of performing arts in the country, has selected 32 artists of India who have made a mark as young talents in their respective fields of performing arts, for Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2009. The Puraskar, given to artistes below the age of 35 years, was introduced in the year 2006 with the objective of identifying and encouraging outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and giving them national recognition early in their life, so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. The awards were given by President Prathibha Patil on September 28, 2010 at New Delhi.
- Recipients of USTAD BISMILLAH KHAN YUVA PURASKAR 2009 awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
- The President's speech on the occasion
Shivani Thakkar has been nominated for the 2010 ENBRIDGE EMERGING ARTIST AWARD presented by the Office of the Mayor Dave Bronconnier and the Calgary Professional Arts Alliance. The winners of 5 prestigious awards including the recipient of the Enbridge Emerging Artist Award will be announced at a reception event on September 27, 2010 at the Max Bell Theatre, Epcor Performing Arts Center. The event, "Mayor's Evening of Excellence in the Business and Arts", is an annual awards reception recognizing and bringing together the best artists, community leaders, and businesses in one place; to celebrate and support the dynamic and forward looking partnership between the creative and corporate world.
Chennapuri Baktha Jana Samajam affixed to Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, honoured and conferred the title of BHAGAVATH SEVA MANI on Melattur S Natarajan and his brother S Kumar on September 26, 2010 at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Says Natarajan, "We consider it a blessing and a great honour as it comes from a religious body and above all, from our religious Guru. We owe this honour to the great tradition of Bhagavata Mela and its artists."
The KVS AWARD 2010 was presented to C Rajasulochana (film actress and senior Kuchipudi dancer) on 26th September 2010 at 6.30pm at YMHA Hall, Eluru (Andhra Pradesh) on the eve of the birthday of Guru KV.Satyanarayana.
At the 5TH DEVDASI NATIONAL FESTIVAL presented by Devdasi Nrutya Mandir from Sept 21 - 23, 2010 at Jaydev Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, Mohiniattam dancer Methil Devika received the DEVDASI NATIONAL AWARD.
The Devdasi National Award has been instituted since 2006. This award is meant for one most outstanding dancer (below the age of 40) of Indian classical dances, who takes dance as her career and continues dance as a worship like the Devadasis in Indian temples in ancient times.
This Award had been conferred on Shibani Patnaik (USA) for Odissi in 2006, Yamini Reddy (New Delhi) for Kuchipudi in 2007, Parwati Dutta (Aurangabad) for Kathak in 2008 and Meernanda Barthakur (Guwahati) in 2009 for Sattriya dance.
For the last 15 years the GURU KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA AWARD instituted by Srjan, has been presented, on an annual basis, to 4 persons in the field of Dance, Music, Theatre & Cinema. For the 16th annual Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award this year, two awards (Rs 50,000/- each) were presented by Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Orissa, to exceptional individuals in the areas of Music & Dance, on Sept 5, 2010 the concluding day of the 5 day festival in Bhubaneswar.
Prof. Mohini Mohan Patnaik is credited with having produced an impressive number of students of the classical flute in Odisha, who are now performing in various parts of the world. He himself is a respected flautist and composer in the classical genre. In recent times, this versatile musician has presented concerts on the Santoor instrument.
Sri Bhagirathi Das has made a long and signal contribution in the preparation of the costumery for classical Odissi dance. His lifelong avocation in the stitching of the Odissi costume has fulfilled a pressing need for this very essential accessory for Odissi dance. Since his livelihood has depended solely on this, his sacrifice for, and utility to, numerous gurus and students of Odissi worldwide is all the more praiseworthy.
The award is meant for the artistes who have distinguished themselves in their fields in spite of weak financial capability. The award is also conferred on outstanding persons who have not suffered financial setbacks but have scanty recognition from the media and public. The philosophy behind the award is to generate a fellow feeling in the artiste fraternity who can work together with the conviction that is best expressed in the axiom-"Live and let live". This award has been conferred uninterruptedly for last 15 years on 35 luminaries in the artiste's community.

On the occasion, Dr. Sunil Kothari (Dance historian, author, critic), Ashish Mohan Khokar (Dance historian, critic, editor/publisher of India's dance annual Attendance) and Lalitha Venkat (Content editor of www.narthaki.com) were also honored by Srjan for their contribution to the arts.
On Teacher's Day on September 5, 2010, Call Ezee (a service oriented information center), honored The Dhananjayans with the PARAMACHARYA AWARD at the Guru Samarpanam function at Music Academy, Chennai.
“Our country is Bhaarata, we are Bhaarateeya and our profession is Bhaaratanaatya. The only country in the world where the name of the country and practicing art is synonymous. Only Bharatadesh has this beautiful concept of Guru and Aachaarya, because this is the only country that preaches and practice the philosophy. There is no religion higher than Truth and there is no nobler profession than being a true Teacher. We bow to the Guru Parampara starting from Veda Vyasa to the last of the Paramaachaaryas and we dedicate this Paramacharya award to those immediate mentors and gurus like Rukmini Devi, Chandu Panikkar Asaan and others, including my father who was a great and true teacher in all aspects, “ said Guru VP Dhananjayan on accepting the award.

In the pictures are also seen great personalities Prof: H.R Dasegowda, Sri Nadoja G. Narayan - President, Karnataka Janapada Parishath, Dr. H.S. Doraiswami - Senior Freedom Fighter
On September 5, 2010 on the occasion of the 6th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan happening for the 1st time in Bangalore, eminent personalities in various fields were felicitated at Ravindra Kalakshethra. Eminent personalities like K Satyanarayan (journalist), Chiranjeevi Singh (Rt. IAS officer), Dr. RK Srikantan (musician), Prof GH Hanneradu Mata (script writer) were honored. In the dance category, Vyjayanthi Kashi was selected.

Janaki Rangarajan is a finalist for the OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMER and EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER categories of the 2010 Metro Dance DC Awards. Earlier this year, Janaki received the Strauss Fellowship for choreography and the title of SINGAR MANI from Sur Singar Samsad.
August 2010
On August 30, 2010 at the 14th annual Bharatanatyam festival at Narada Gana Sabha conducted by Natyarangam, Guru CK Balagopal was honored. Awards given were OBUL REDDY AWARD for Bharatanatyam dancer Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy, SUDHARANI RAGHUPATHY AWARD for mridangist G Vijayaraghavan, VASANTHALAKSHMI NARASIMHACHARI AWARD for Radhika Vairavelavan for talent promotion.
The Sruti Foundation presented the E KRISHNA IYER MEDAL to Bharatanatyam dancer Vyjayanthimala Bali, VELLORE GOPALACHARIAR MEMORIAL AWARD to veena player Padmavathy Ananthagopalan and M.VENKATAKRISHNAN MEMORIAL AWARD to R Krishnaswami (Narada Gana Sabha), on August 21, 2010 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai. Jayant Kastuar, Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, presided over the function.

Leela Samson was appointed as Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi on Aug 10, 2010 for a tenure of 5 years. She is the 12th Chairperson of the Akademi. She is presently the Director of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai. She received the Padma Shri in 1990 and the SNA award in 2000.
Details
July 2010
Alekhya Punjala has been awarded the Prestigious RAJIV GANDHI PRATIBHA PURASKAR for 2009 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
The FUKUOKA PRIZE was established to honor outstanding achievements by individuals or groups/organizations in preserving and creating the unique and diverse cultures of Asia. The aim is to foster and increase awareness of the value of Asian cultures as well as to establish a framework within which Asians can learn from, and share with, each other. The Arts and Culture Prize for 2010 goes to Ong Keng Sen, Theatre Director (Artistic Director of TheatreWorks), Singapore for Contemporary Performance.
Ong Keng Sen is one of the most prolific theatre directors in the world. His productions are shaped by modern sensibility which brings together Asian and European performance traditions in striking way. He has won international acclaim as a director. He has been a pioneer at the international frontier of theatrical art: his plays do not disregard tradition, but still place a premium on physicality, and remain true to the spirit of pop art.
"Ong Keng Sen is one of the leaders of the international performing world, whose work has successfully broken down the simplistic dualism which traditionally separate the classical from the contemporary arts, and the East from the West. By thus transcending barriers between genres and nations, he has contributed greatly to a revaluation of the fundamental and universal power of art through his sharp awareness of contemporary issues. For this contribution, he is truly worthy of the Arts and Culture Prize of the Fukuoka Prize."

On July 18, 2010, the Board of Dance Critics Association awarded Dr. Sunil Kothari, the Dance Critics Association's SENIOR CRITIC AWARD during World Dance Alliance global meeting in New York University, New York. Since no Senior Critic Award was given in 2009, there were 2 awards given this year.
YAGNARAMAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2010 was conferred on Dr. M Balamuralikrishna (Carnatic vocal) and YAGNARAMAN AWARD OF EXCELLANCE on Sikkil C Gurucharan (Carnatic vocal) and Sheejith Krishna (Bharatanatyam), on July 4, 2010 at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.
June 2010
The Dhananjayans received GD BIRLA INTERNATIONAL AWARD and purse on June 21, 2010. The GD Birla Award instituted by the Birla Academy of Arts and Culture, were presented in New Delhi. Vice President of India Dr. Hamid Ansari presented the citation and cheque for 5 lakhs cheque to Guru VP Dhananjayan for the couple's outstanding contributions in the field of India's cultural heritage. The other awardees who received the honour and similar purse are Zkhumi Vankung for her contribution in the field of service to Humanity and Leni Soderberg received the award on behalf of Dr. Percy Barnevik for his immense contribution in the field of rural upliftment in Tamilnadu through the international organization Hand in Hand.
In the Pic: Sarala Birla, Dr. Hamid Ansari, Basant Kumar Birla & VP Dhananjayan

Abhinaya Dance Company's Artistic Director Mythili Kumar was honored by World Arts West with a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD on opening night of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts on June 5, 2010.
May 2010
Kalasagar is the institution founded by late Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, the legendary percussionist and an informed critic of Kathakali. During the anniversary celebrations on 28th May 2009, an Award was announced in Poduval's memory, titled as BAHUMUKHAPRATIBHA (multi-faceted talent) - to honour a Kathakali artist, who exhibits proficiency in all aspects of his art, including acting, playing musical instruments, music scores and literacy contributions (saahityam). It was also decided to recognize and honour artists in the field of performing arts viz. Kathakali - Actor, Music, Chenda, Maddalam & Chutti, Ottenthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Koodiyattam, Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Thayambaka and Panchavadyam - Thimala, Maddalam, Edakka, Kombu & Thalam and make the anniversary celebrations an Award Night. The awardees were selected by a panel of experts from the nominations received from art lovers. On 28 May 2010, the KALASAGAR AWARDS were given away at a function organized at Kerala Kalamandalam, Thrissur, Kerala.

This year's awardee list:
Kalamandalam Geethaanandan (Ottenthullal), Kalamandalam Rama Chakyar (Chakyarkoothu), Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri (Koodiyattam), Sunanda Nair (Mohiniattam), Geeta Chandran (Bharatanatyam), Vedantham Ramu (Kuchipudi), Kallekulangara Achuthankutty (Thayambaka, Panchavadyam), Kariyannoor Narayanan Namboodiri (Thimila), Kadavalloor Gopalakrishnan (Maddalam), Thichoor Mohanan (Edakka), Asiad Sasi (Thalam), Machad Manikandan (Kombu, Kathakali), Kalamandalam Balasubramanian (Vesham/Actor), Kottakkal Narayanan (Paattu/Music), Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan (Chenda/Percussion), Kalamandalam Narayanan (Maddalam/Percussion), Kalamandalam Rammohan (Chutty/Make-up), Sadanam Harikumar (Bahumukhapratibhai in Kathakali).

Kathak exponent Uma Dogra received MAHARASHTRA GAURAV SAMMAN from Govt. of Maharashtra, on May 25, 2010 at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai.
Sunaina Rao was awarded the SINGAR MANI title by the Sur Singar Sansad, based on her Kathak performance at the 49th Kal-Ke-Kalakar program on May 22, 2010 at Mumbai.
At a well attended ceremony on May 3, 2010, the unique dance library of Montreal has been renamed Bibliotheque de la Danse Vincent Warren.
"It is a well deserved honour to continue the legacy of a much loved ballet dancer who turned into the indefatigable dance scholar, always available to help out with studies and research in dance. He has been the spirit and life force behind this remarkable dance library which boast a large and rare collection of books, videos, magazines and other dance related materials and objects," says Mamata Niyogi Nakra.
April 2010

Veena artiste Nirmala Rajasekar of Minneapolis has been awarded a MCKNIGHT PERFORMING ARTISTS FELLOWSHIP for 2010-2011. She is the first Indian classical musician to have been awarded this top honour along with 3 other ensemble/western musicians this year. The other 3 awardees are a soprano vocalist, a pianist and a string quartet.
On April 30, 2010, Suparna Venkatesh received her P.hd doctorate for her thesis on 'Devadasis of Karnataka and their contribution for dance' at the 45th annual convocation of Bangalore University. She took 7 years to complete this project. The convocation was held in the presence of Chancellor and Honourable Governor of Karnataka, Dr. Hansraj Bharadwaj, Higher Education minister Aravind Nimbavalli and chief guest Prof. P Balaram, director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Suparna is presently visiting professor at Bangalore University dance department.
Kathak duo Nalini-Kamalini received SHRINATH AWARD from Vaishali Kala Kendra Noida on 25 April 2010 at Indira Gandhi Auditorium, Noida.

Muralidhar Chandrakanta Bhandare, Hon'ble Governor, Odisha and Chancellor, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Orissa, conferred D.Litt. Degree on Odissi dance's living legend Guru Gangadhar Pradhan on April 17, 2010 at Bhubaneswar.

At a glittering ceremony in Hoshangabad (Madhya Pradesh) on 17 April 2010, Bharatanatyam dancer Sneha Chakradhar, senior disciple of Geeta Chandran, was honoured with the prestigious MADHAV JYOTI ALANKARAN NATIONAL AWARD, which honours the memory of late Madhav Rao Scindia. The award was presented by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jyotiraditya Scindia and film actor Jackie Shroff.

Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan received the WOMEN ACHIEVER'S AWARD in the field of Performing Arts from YFLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organization) on 16 April 2010, at FICCI Auditorium, New Delhi. Honorable Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur, presented the award.
On April 12, 2010 on the occasion of the 75th birthday celebrations of Odissi Guru Sudhakar Sahoo, the first GURU SUDHAKAR SAHOO SAMMAN was bestowed upon Guru Gangadhar Pradhan (Odissi dance), Guru Ramahari Das (Odissi music) and Guru Banamali Moharana (Mardala), at Bhubaneswar.

Kuchipudi guru KV Satyanarayana was honored with CULTURAL EXCELLENCE 2010 award by Telugu Association of London on April 10, 2010 at London. It was presented by Deputy Mayor of London.
March 2010
Senior Kathakali musician Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan was given the Dr. K N PISHARODI MEMORIAL AWARD, at the anniversary celebrations of Trichur Kathakali Club.
Annapurna Indian Dance's artistic director Shantha Rao got the Certificate of Achievement for outstanding contribution towards promotion of Indian dance and culture through out the UK from the Indian Association Manchester on March 21, 2010 as part of their celebration of International Women's Day. Storyteller and dancer Shantha Rao has taken Indian dance and stories to educational establishments throughout the UK making it accessible and enjoyable for all. "This award is truly like winning the Oscars for me! My own community recognizing the work I have done is the greatest and the most wonderful thing to ever happen in my life. I am indeed very fortunate," says Shantha.
February 2010
P Rajagopal, actor, playwright, director, and guru of the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam and a strong advocate of opening up the theatre to girls and women, received the FRIENDS OF DAKSHINACHITRA AWARD for life-time achievement on Saturday 27 February 2010.
Delhi based Sree Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha honoured The Dhananjayans with NAATYA RATNA award on 26th February 2010 at the inauguration of their 60th year Art festival.

At the 6th year function organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra on February 19, 2010 at Chandigarh, the GURU MADAN LAL KOSER – GURU SHOBHA KOSER AWARD was conferred upon Odissi dancer Sonal Mansingh and Mohan Veena maestro Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, at Tagore Theatre.
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi, at its meetings held on 29 January and 12 February 2010, elected 6 eminent personalities in the field of performing arts for its most prestigious and rare honour Akademi Ratna and 33 persons from the fields of Music, Dance, and Theatre for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2009.

SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI FELLOWS (AKADEMI RATNA) - Lalgudi Jayaraman, Shreeram Lagoo, Yamini Krishnamurti, Kamlesh Dutt Tripathi, Pandit Jasraj and Kishori Amonkar.

SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARDS (AKADEMI PURASKAR), awardees in the field of dance - Ananda Shankar Jayant (Bharatanatyam), Prerana Shrimali (Kathak), Kalamandalam Rajan (Kathakali), L Bino Devi (Manipuri), Geeta Mahalik (Odissi), Vyjayanthi Kashi (Kuchipudi), Daksha Sheth (Creative & Experimental dance), Kala Krishna (Andhra Natyam), UK Kunjirama Paniker (ritual dance Theyyam) and critic Leela Venkataraman (Overall contribution to performing arts).
Complete list of awardees
January 2010

Mallika Sarabhai participated in 6 panel discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos from January 27, 2010. She was a panelist along with Melinda Gates, Director UNIFEM, authors Margaret Atwood and Paolo Coelho on subjects as wide ranging as Achieving Gender Parity: What Works? to Religious Literacy: Developing the Blueprint. She is also on World Economic Forum's select group on the Future of India.
Padma Awards, the country's highest civilian awards, are conferred in three categories, and are given in all disciplines/ fields of activities like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year on Jan 26.
PADMA VIBHUSHAN: Theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi (Delhi); theatre actor Zohra Segal (Delhi); percussionist and mridangam vidwan Umayalpuram K Sivaraman (Chennai)
PADMA BHUSHAN: Kathak guru Kumudhini Lakhia (Ahmedabad), dancer Mallika Sarabhai (Ahmedabad), Hindustan classical vocalist Pt Chhannulal Mishra (Uttar Pradesh), percussion acharya Kuzhur Narayana Marar (Kerala)
PADMA SHRI: Odissi guru Mayadhar Raut (Delhi), Little Ballet Troupe's Gul Bardhan (Madhya Pradesh), Manipuri dancer Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi (Manipur ), musician Pt Raghunath Panigrahi (Orissa), Ram Dayal Munda for tribal music and dance (Jharkand), theatre person Arundati Nag (Karnataka), educationist Mrs.Y.G. Parthasarathy, President Bharat Kalachar (Chennai).
The awards will be conferred by President Pratibha Patil in March/April 2010.
The complete list of awardees
The Kailash Mutt Trust of Nasik, Maharashtra present their prestigious SARASWATI PURUSKAAR for 2009 to sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran. The 100-year old Trust initiated the Saraswati Puruskaar to honour artists and activists who bring excellence to their fields of discipline and have a considerable impact on society. Past awardees include Lata Mangeshkar, activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, classical music maestros Pt. Jasraj and Kishori Amonkar and singer Asha Bhosle. The 2009 awards were bestowed at a celebration in Nasik on 18 January 2010.
V Ramnarayan, Editor-in-Chief, Sruti, was honoured with the Music Forum's Media Award 2009 on 16 January 2010 at the NCPA in Mumbai.
On January 6, 2010, Urmila Sathyanarayana received the NATYA KALASIKHAMANI award from Indian Fine Arts Society at Balamandir German Hall, Chennai, 6pm.
The Music Academy's SANGITA KALANIDHI award was given to Valayapatti AR Subramaniam (Tavil Maestro) ; SANGITA KALA ACHARYA to Trivandrum R Venkataraman (veena vidwan), and NS Jayalakshmi (Bharatanatyam guru); TTK awards to Tiruchi R Thayumanavan (Konnakkol exponent) and Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma (violinist and musicologist); and MUSICOLOGIST award to BM Sundaram. The awards were given away at the Sadas on January 1, 2010.

Aparna Ramaswamy, the co-director of Ragamala Dance based in Minneapolis, has been named by Dance Magazine as one of its "25 to Watch." The internationally selected group includes principals and soloists from the New York City Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, the Bolshoi Ballet of Russia.
Highlights - Yearwise listing