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Oct 2025  Ananda Shankar Jayant received the first NATYA SHIROMANI award from the South Indian Cultural Association (SICA) in Hyderabad on October 28, 2025.  Pt Laxmikant Palit, Dhaneswar Swain, V. V. Ramani, Niranjan Rout, Sivarajah Natarajan At the 19th Guru Debaprasad Award Festival organized by Tridhara, the following awards were presented at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar on October 24 & 25, 2025. GURU DEBAPRASAD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025: Guru Laxmidhar Raula (Rama Leela), Pt Laxmikant Palit (Odissi music), Guru Dhaneswar Swain (Odissi mardala), and V. V. Ramani (Art Critic). GURU DEBAPRASAD AWARD 2025: Guru Niranjan Rout (Odissi dance), Sivarajah Natarajan (Visual Arts & Light Design), and Guru Yudhistir Nahak (Radha Prema Leela). GURU DEBAPRASAD YUVA PRATIVA AWARD 2025: Jayant Acharya, D. Priyanka, Sudipta Panda, and Aarya Nande (Odissi dance) GURU DEBAPRASAD SISHU PRATIVA AWARD 2025: Yuuri Iijima (Odissi dance).  The RR Sabha, Chennai, awarded the NRITHYA KALA RATHNA to Sailaja (Kuchipudi & BN dancer) and the NRITHYA YUVA KALA RATHNA to Harinie Jeevitha on October 23, 2025.  The Lasya presented 22 VRINDRANI AWARDS & 5 PARTHA AWARDS on October 19, 2025 at the Museum Theater, Chennai. VRINDRANI AWARDS (Season 5) Akshaya Radhakrishnan, Bangalore - BN, Esha Mukherjee, Siliguri, West Bengal - Odissi, Kakali Bezbaruah, Guwahati - Sattriya, Dr. Sandhiya Soundararajan, Ambur - BN, Oishanee Bhattacharjee, Kolkata - Odissi, Udayasri Manoj, Mahabubabad, Telangana - Kuchipudi, Dweepjyoti Hajong, Guwahati - Sattriya, Savitha Karthik, Bengaluru - BN, Anagha Ajay, Chengannur, Kerala - Kuchipudi, Anangakili J, Pattambi, Kerala - BN, Adeena Ann Alex, Muvattupuzha, Kerala - Mohiniattam / multi-style, Anishritha Reddy Kunduru, Warangal, Telangana - Kuchipudi, Nithyashree M, Bengaluru - BN, Sundara Ramakoundinya Sreebhashtam, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh - Kuchipudi, Rithismita Deka, Assam - Sattriya, Jahnobi Gogoi, Assam - Sattriya, Kalakshetra Reshma Rajiv, Ernakulam, Kerala - BN, Hasini Panjala, Warangal, Telangana - Kuchipudi, Pandiyan Shanmugam, Kanchipuram - BN, Malavika M. Nair, Ernakulam, Kerala - Mohiniattam, Sai Vanshika Ethalapaka, Hyderabad - Kuchipudi, Abhirami R, Trivandrum, Kerala - Kuchipudi PARTHA AWARD (Season 2) Guru Anitha Guha, Chennai - Bharatanatyam, Himansee Katragadda - Kuchipudi, Harinie Jeevitha - BN, Prateeksha Kashi - Kuchipudi, Utthara Unni - BN  UK based artiste ARUNIMA KUMAR on October 16, 2025 became the first Kuchipudi dancer to be conferred King Charles III's Honorary BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (BEM), for services to Indian classical dance and community. Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, government of Tamil Nadu gave the KALAIMAMANI AWARD to the following in an official function presided over by Tamil Nadu chief minister on October 11, 2025 for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 in Chennai. The Kalaimamani awardees received a gold medal and a certificate of honor. Some of the awardees include Vazhuvoor S Palaniappan Pillai, Amutha Dandapani, Priya Karthikeyan and Dhanasundari for Bharatanatyam, Jayapriya Vikraman for Kuchipudi and Swamimalai Suresh for sangeetham. Muthukannammal was named for the Balasaraswathi Award for Dance.  Odissi dancer Guru RATIKANT MOHAPATRA received the NRUTYA GAURAV SAMMAN from Dance Image Academy on October 7, 2025 at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. GURU SAHADEV PADHI MEMORIAL AWARD was presented to Odissi Guru PAGALA SWAIN by Utkal Dance and Research Academy on October 5, 2025 at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar.  After recently receiving the Lucy Bowen award for Inclusive Choreography, HRISHIKESH PAWAR, Artistic Director of Centre of Contemporary Dance, Pune, receives the BERLIN FELLOWSHIP from the Akademie der Künste (AdK), Berlin. Sep 2025 Trinetra Kala Kunja in association with Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha, presented the following awards at the 5th International Trinetra Award Festival at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar on 20th September 2025. TRINETRA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025 to Guru Harihara Mohanty (Odissi dance) and Guru Simanchal Dash (Odissi sangeet) INTERNATIONAL TRINETRA AWARD 2025 to Odissi dance Guru Dr. Sujata Mishra, Atasi Mishra (Odissi dance), Sangeeta Panda (Odissi singer & composer) and Sankarsan Mohapatra (social worker) INTERNATIONAL TRINETRA YUVA PRATIVA AWARD 2025 to four young Odissi dancers - Kishor Dalei, Jagyandatta Pradhan, Bijayalaxmi Ojha and Pratyasha Panigrahi. INTERNATIONAL TRINETRA SISHU PRATIVA AWARD 2025 to Souroshree Debnath (Kathak), Sai Durga Nayak, Priyanka Priyadarshini and Bijayalaxmi Shrichandan for Odissi dance.  ADITI MANGALDAS was honored with the NRITYA SAMRAT AWARD at the Guru Wickramasinghe Nritya Samrat Mahotsav 2025, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sept 14, 2025. This prestigious recognition is certified by ICCR Sri Lanka, Guru Wickramasinghe Gandharva Vidyalaya and Edgevin Vihan Company. She received this recognition from the legendary Guru Upeka Chitrasena.  During its 75th year celebrations, The Mylapore Academy presented the DHARMATMA: DR. V VAIDYASUBRAMANIA IYER CENTENARY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE to The Dhananjayans at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai on September 13, 2025. On Sept 9, 2025 the following awards were given at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, during the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival conducted by Srjan. - The GURU KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA AWARD 2025 with a cash award of Rs.1 lakh and a citation: Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgal and Odissi vocalist Alekha Chandra Samal. - The GURU KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA YUVA PRATIVA SAMMAN with a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation: Shatabdi Mallik and Muralidhar Swain. - The GURU KELUCHARAN MOHAPATRA KALA SAMMAN 2025 with a cash award of Rs 50,000 and a citation: Arnab Bandyopadhyay and Raghunath Das from the field of Odissi dance.  Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha conferred the Sabha's highest award SANGEETHA KALA VIBHUSHAN on KALAMANDALAM GOPI, the living legend of Kathakali, on 7th September 2025 at Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium, Mumbai. Aug 2025  Sri Lalitha Kala Niketana presented NRITHYA SHREE AWARD to Bharatanatyam dancer DR. SESHADRI IYENGAR on August 31, 2025 at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.  Kathak exponent DR NANDKISHORE KAPOTE received the MAHAMAHOPADHYAY PURASKAR bestowed in the memory of Pt.Vishnu Digambar Paluskar from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal on 18th August 2025 at Nerul, Navi Mumbai.   At the Smriti Festival, PT BIRJU MAHARAJ SMRITI AWARD to the Dhananjayans and PT BIRJU MAHARAJ YUVA PURASKAR AWARD to Shanky Singh was given on August 15, 2025 at Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra, Chennai.  Ambika Buch, Shafeekuddin & Shabana, Meera Sreenarayanan, Nandini Sai Giridhar, Vaishnavi Anand, Kalishwaran Pillai, Gautam Marathe Natyarangam, dance wing of Narada Gana Sabha Trust, presented the following awards on August 14, 2025 at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, on the inaugural evening of Acharya Bharatham festival. NATYACHARYA RATNA for Guru Ambika Buch OBUL REDDY & KAMALA, NARADAR SRINIVASA RAO ENDOWMENT AWARD for Shafeekuddin & Shabana (for senior dancers) VASANTHALAKSHMI - NARASIMHACHARI & THANJAI ARUNACHALAM PILLAI ENDOWMENT AWARD for Meera Sreenarayanan (outstanding talent) SUDHARANI RAGHUPATHY & AANMAJOTHI ENDOWMENT AWARD for Nandini Sai Giridhar (violin accompaniment for Bharatanatyam) SUJATHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN ENDOWMENT AWARD for Vaishnavi Anand (proficiency in Bharatanatyam and music) BHAGAVATULU SRI SEETARAMA SARMA ENDOWMENT AWARD for Kalishwaran Pillai (nattuvangam) K S SUBRAMANIAN ENDOWMENT AWARD for Gautam Marathe (December Season debutante - afternoon slot)  PADMASHRI SATHYANARAYAN COMMEMORATIVE MUSICOLOGY AWARD was conferred upon Odissi and Kathak exponent PARWATI DUTTA on August 13, 2025 by the Brahmavidya Foundation at Mysore.  Ranjana Gauhar's Utsav Society presented UTSAV SAMMAN Lifetime Achievement Awards to Guru Geeta Mahalik, Guru Geeta Chandran, and dance historian Ashish Mohan Khokar on August 12, 2025 at Stein auditorium, New Delhi. Jul 2025  REMONA EVETTE PEREIRA, a student of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru, has entered the Golden Book of World Records with her 170-hour Bharatanatyam performance, starting on July 21, concluding it on July 28, taking a short break of 15 minutes every three hours during the marathon. Remona was conferred with the 'Certificate of Excellence' for the longest Bharatanatyam performance, by the Head of Golden Book of World Records, Manish Vishnoei. The previous world record of 127 hours of Bharatanatyam performance was set by Sudhir Jagtap.  At Lasya Lahari festival organized by Dr. Neena Prasad's Sougandhika Centre for Mohiniyattam on July 27, 2025 at the Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram, the LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD was given to veteran journalist, writer, and dance critic LEELA VENKATARAMAN for her outstanding contributions to Indian classical dance over the past five decades through her insightful critiques and writings.  Sheela Unnikrishnan received the ACHARYA KALASAKARA AWARD along with Harinie Jeevitha and Bhairavi Venkatesan who received NRITHYA RATHNAKARA AWARD from the Griffin College, London, on July 25, 2025.  Griffin College London conferred the ACHARYA KALASAKARA Lifetime Achievement Award on DR. LAKSHMI RAMASWAMY for her dedication to Bharatanatyam on July 25, 2025.  RAMYA RAMNARAYAN received the NEW JERSEY STATE HERITAGE FELLOWSHIP, the state's highest honor for artists, on July 22, 2025, at the George Washington Ballroom in the War Memorial Building, Trenton, NJ. This prestigious award recognizes artistic excellence, contributions to New Jersey's living cultural heritage, and lifetime achievement, as determined by the New Jersey State Council of the Arts.  KALAMANDALAM SARASWATHY received the KERALA SANGEETHA NATAKA AKADEMI FELLOWSHIP for 2024 on July 21, 2025 at Thrissur at the headquarters of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.  Aalekh Foundation presented the LIFETIME WOMEN'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025 to Sharon Lowen, a global icon of Odissi, Manipuri and Chau, on July 19, 2025 at the Leela Palace, Delhi.  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.  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.  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  'The Sacred Dance of Ancient India and its Relevance to Hindu Iconography' authored by Sarah Vieira Magalhăes, disciple of Guru Sucheta Chapekar, is a comprehensive study that explores the rich tapestry of Indian arts, emphasizing the profound significance of dance traditions on Indian sculptural art and its relevance to the gradual development of Hindu iconography. (Shubhi Publications, 232 pages, hard cover, Rs.2695) Jun 2025  Rukmini Vijayakumar received the KUMAR GANDHARVA AWARD from the Madhya Pradesh govt on June 26, 2025. 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.  Natyanjali presented the NARTAKA AWARD for 5 years at the Nartaka Festival held in Bangalore, on June 22, 2025. The awardees are MADURAI R MURALIDHARAN for 2020, DR. SRIDHAR VASUDEVAN for 2021, KIRAN SUBRAMANYAM for 2023, M LAKSHMINARAYANA SAMAGA for 2024 and TD RAJENDRA for 2025.  Sattriya dancer and researcher DR.MALLIKA KANDALI received the BISHNU RABHA AWARD from the Assam govt at Nalbari, Assam, on June 20, 2025. Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a great personality of Assamese cultural field. He was a multifaceted person - music composer, writer, creator of Tandava style of dance, composed many songs, was a social reformer and much more. In the name of this great personality the Govt. of Assam introduced this award. June 20 is his death anniversary. The govt. and people of Assam observe this day as Bishnu Rabha Diwas.  RITA MUSTAPHI, Artistic Director of Katha Dance Theatre, received the DANCE/USA ERNIE AWARD, at the 2025 Dance/USA National Conference in Chicago, June 17-20, 2025.  Dancer-choreographer SONIA SABRI, artistic director of Sonia Sabri Company, has been honoured with an MBE for her services to dance at the King's Birthday on June 14, 2025.  SUJATA VINJAMURI and VINITHA SUBRAMANIAN received the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the 2025 American Natya Festival by Soorya Performing Arts on June 14, 2025 at St Louis, MO.  Laasya Academy of Dance presented the LAASYA PURUSHA AWARD to Kathak dancer Mysore B Nagaraj, and Kuchipudi dancer Dr. Sanjay Shantaram on June 7, 2025 at Seva Sadan, Bangalore.  The winners of the 2024 UK NATIONAL DANCE AWARDS were announced on June 9 at a ceremony at The Barbican Centre, London. Diversity of dance genre was the big winner in this year's awards. The DANCING TIMES AWARD for Best Male Dancer was jointly awarded to hip-hop performer TOMMY FRANZÉN and Kathak dancer AAKASH ODEDRA. It was the first time that this award has been won by a dancer in either discipline. AAKASH ODEDRA won the OUTSTANDING MALE CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE AWARD for Mehek, the first time in 25 years that this award has been won by a dancer outside of ballet. BEST FEMALE DANCER goes to ERINA TAKAHASHI as Giselle in Akram Khan's Giselle. May 2025  Radio Zindagi and Women Empowered presented VINITA SUD BELANI, founder and director of EnActe Arts with the FEMFEST 2025 SHAKTI AWARD in recognition of her trailblazing work bringing South Asian stories to global stages, on May 31, 2025 at ICC, Milpitas, California.  Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval's 101st birth anniversary celebration, In Memory of a Birthday, was commemorated by Kalasagar with Kalasagar Award Ceremony on May 28, 2025 at Kunju Nair Trust Hall, Karalmanna, Kerala. The recipient of the award for Best Art Critic is the renowned critic and orator, former Deputy Registrar of Kerala Kalamandalam, V. Kaladharan. The KALASAGAR AWARDS, given annually in memory of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval to outstanding artistes in various fields of Kathakali, were presented for 2025 to: Oyoor Ramachandran (Kathakali Costume) Kalamandalam Surendran (Kathakali Music) Keerikkad Purushothaman Panicker (Kathakali Chenda) Kalanilayam Ramanunni Moossad (Kathakali Maddalam) Kottakkal Satheesh S.V. (Kathakali Make-up/Chutti)  On May 18, 2025, Chennai based Kuchipudi Art Academy's Vempati's Yugadi conferred the VENKATACHALAPATHY YUVA PURASKAR 2025, instituted to recognise the talent of a male classical dancer each year, on Pasumarthy Kumara Datta. The evening also honoured R Venkatesh, tailor at the Kuchipudi Art Academy for nearly 30 years. Pasumarthy Kumara Datta is a Kuchipudi dancer from the traditional 'Pasumarthy' family, renowned for its contributions to dance. He works as Assistant Professor in Reva University in School of Performing Arts and Indic Studies.  International Schools of East-West Unity conferred NATYA SARASWATI award on MADHU NATARAJ on May 17, 2025 at Ananda Ashram, Monroe, NY for her remarkable achievements and contributions to Kathak and creative dance.  On May 6, 2025 Shristi Centre of Performing Arts conferred the MAYA RAO MEMORIAL NATIONAL AWARD FOR DANCE on SAI VENKATESH (stage, sound and lights designer) and DR. SUPARNA VENKATESH (Bharatanatyam and Kathak guru, Sai Arts International) at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.  SRISHTI NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DANCE was awarded to SHUBA DHANANJAY, Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, on 5th May 2025 at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.  Sanchari Foundation presented the JAYADEVA SAMMAN to musicologist and composer BANKIM SETHI on May 2, 2025 at Stein auditorium, New Delhi. Nominations for NATIONAL DANCE AWARDS 2024, UK was announced: Aditi Mangaldas (Outstanding Female Classical Performance for Mehek) Aditi Mangaldas & Aakash Odedra (Best Classical Choreography for Mehek) April 2025 The SHRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA and Bharata Muni's NATYASHASTRA have been inscribed in UNESCO's MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER - a global initiative that preserves documentary heritage of outstanding value. The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, has long been regarded as a spiritual and philosophical cornerstone. The Natyashastra penned by sage Bharata Muni is considered the foundational text on performing arts, especially theatre, dance, and music. The list of Padma awardees was announced on Jan 25, 2025 and includes the following awardees in the field of dance/art, who received their awards on April 28 and May 28, 2025 at Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu.  PADMA VIBHUSHAN: Kumudhini Lakhia (Kathak)  PADMA BHUSHAN: Jatin Goswami (Sattriya), Shobana Chandrakumar (Bharatanatyam), Nalli Kuppuswami Chetty (Art patron)  PADMA SHRI: Bharat Gupt (scholar), Durga Charan Ranbir (Odissi), Mamata Shankar (Uday Shankar style), Purisai Kannappa Sambandan (Therukoothu), Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi (Manipuri), 96 year old Bhimavva (Togalu Gombeyaata - shadow puppetry)  SPIC MACAY and its founder DR. KIRAN SETH received the 6TH NATYA VRIKSHA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD during its World Dance Day celebrations on April 26, 2025 at IIC, New Delhi.  For his invaluable and continued contribution, participation and dedication to Bhagavata Mela, N SRIKANTH NATARAJAN was honoured with SATRAJITI PURASKARAM on 23rd April 2025 at Annamayya Kala Vedhika, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, on the occasion of International Dance Day celebrations.  The KALAVEDI PURASKARA was given to Guru PADMINI RAVI for her continued contribution towards the classical arts across the globe and in specific to Bharatnatyam in Karnataka, on April 20, 2025 at MES Kishor Kendra, Bangalore.  Light Sense Art Foundation of Milind Srivastava conferred LIGHT DESIGNER AWARD on DEBIPRASAD MISHRA at Renaissance 2025 on April 17, 2025, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.  On 12th April 2025, HANUMANT AWARD was given by Morari Bapu to Aditi Mangaldas at Chitrakutdham, Talgajarda, on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti Mahotsav.  Indian Fine Arts Academy, San Diego, honored dancers NARTHAKI NATARAJ and JAYANTHI SUBRAMANIAM with VIDHYA NIDHI AWARD on April 12, 2025 at Garfield Theatre, Jewish Community Center, La Jolla, CA.  Nadasutra Trust presented the NADASUTRA SAMMAN 2025 to musicologist and arts critic MANJARI SINHA on April 5, 2025 at Swami Vivekananda auditorium, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi.  On 3 April 2025, in Kolkata, GEETA CHANDRAN received Calcutta University's SANSKRIT SANSKRITI SAMMAN from the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Santa Dutta De.  The recipients of Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana awards KALA RATHNA: Bhavajan Kumar NRITHYA SEVA MANI: Vidya Sekhar NRITHYA KALA SAGARAM: Dr. S Divyasena NRITHYA RATNAKARA: Jayanthi Subramaniam March 2025  RAGHUNATH MANET received BEST FEATURE FILM AWARD at 11th NIFF (Nashik International Film Festival) for his Tala Sruti Films' Retour a Pondichery, on March 29, 2025.  DR. SANDHYA PURECHA, the President of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, received the Honorary Doctorate of the Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru, on March 24, 2025 in the presence of Prof Sharanabasappa V. Halse, Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote, Vice Chancellor, KSGH at Mysore.  On March 23, 2025 at Gyan Manch, Kolkata, Chidakash Kalalay presented: CHIDAKASH NATYAKALA CHUDAMANI SAMMAN: Nandini Ramani CHIDAKASH NRITYAKALA CHUDAMANI SAMMAN: Mysore B Nagaraj CHIDAKASH KALASHIROMANI SAMMAN: Ashimbandhu Bhattacharya  On March 17, 2025 dancer METHIL DEVIKA received the DRIVERS OF CHANGE award, presented by India Today and the Mahindra & Mahindra group, at an event in Mumbai.  On March 17, 2025 at the 31st Guru Pankaj Utsav at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, the following awards were given. GAUNI SAMPRADA for DR. MITALI CHINARA (Odissi music and vocal) MADELI SAMMAN for BUDDHANATH SWAIN (Odissi mardal) BINAKARA SAMMAN for DR. DHIRAJ KUMAR MOHAPATRA (Odissi music and composition) NACHUNI SAMPRADA for SRIPARNA BOSE (Odissi dance) MAHARI AWARD for JANHABI BEHERA was given on March 19, 2025.  Mulakanadu Maha Sangha presented the SRI THYAGARAJA RATHNA 2025 to music and dance critic Dr. M SURYA PRASAD on March 16, 2025 at Bangalore.  Dancer SHANTHA RATII, director of Shantha Ratii Initiatives, Singapore, was honored by The Times of India with the TIMES POWER ICON award on March 10, 2025 at The Hyatt, Delhi, in the category of Art and culture.  On Women's Day, 8 March 2025, Delhi Tamil Sangam honoured GEETA CHANDRAN with a Lifetime Achievement Tiara, Medal, and Certificate.  SANATAN SANGEET PURASKAR was conferred on Kathak dancer RAGINI MAHARAJ and performer-artist AARUSHI BHARGAVA on March 1, 2025 by Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti at New Delhi.  KIRUTHIKA RATHANASWAMI, disciple of Jai Govinda, is the new artistic director of Mandala Arts and Culture, Vancouver. "As the founder and Artistic Director of Mandala Arts and Culture for the past 25 years, I am very happy to officially announce that long time graduate of the Jai Govinda Dance Academy, Kiruthika Rathanaswami, will now be the new artistic director of Mandala. I am very happy that Kiruthika has accepted this role of leadership, and I will continue to give her and Mandala Arts and Culture my full support. Kiruthika has been under my mentorship for the past 3 years to prepare her for this position. The mandate of Mandala remains the same, and all the Bharata Natyam classes will continue as usual. The announcement was officially made at our last AGM on March 1, 2025," says Jai Govinda in his official announcement.  New Nritta / Nritya Karanas are a new attraction at Dakshinachitra, The Heritage Museum at Muttukkadu, Chennai. Recently Bharata Kalanjali has installed a few Noothana (new) Karana sculptures and more are to be added in due course. Senior Natyacharyas are invited to join this monumental project by installing new Nritta / Nritya Karanas created by them in their choreographic work. This will benefit present and future generations to understand the changing nature of arts from generation to generation. For more details, contact Natyacharya V.P. Dhananjayan (bkalanjali@gmail.com).  As a part of JAYACHANDRAN SURENDRAN's Ph.D. research, through which a method was designed to teach form-neutral and style-neutral universal dance fundamentals, a 'Dance Teaching Tool' was designed. After a thorough scrutiny, this tool was granted Patency from the India Patent Office. He had the support and guidance of his Research Supervisor Prof. Vinoo Alluri, Asst. Professor, Cognitive Science Lab, IIIT, Hyderabad. February 2025  The KJ SARASA MEMORIAL AWARD was given to veena artiste MUDIKONDAN SN RAMESH, HARIKRISHNA KALYANASUNDARAM (Director, Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatanatya Kala Mandir, Mumbai) and SENTHIL KUMAR of Shanti Tailors on February 22, 2025 by Sarasalaya at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai.  PT RAJENDRA GANGANI received the NISHAGANDHI PURASKARAM at Kanakakkunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram, on February 14, 2025.  On February 11, 2025 Guru DR. SNEHAPRAVA SAMANTRAY received the SAMAKSH KALA SAMMAN award and RAJASHRI PRAHARAJ was recognised with the SAMAKSH YUVA SAMMAN award from Sanchari Trust of Rudraprasad Swain in Bhubaneswar.  Apsaras Arts presented the NEILA SATHYALINGAM MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT AWARD 2025 to NIKITA MENON on 9th February 2025 at the Padmotsav event in Singapore.  On February 8, 2025 during the Dhauli Festival, Bhubaneswar, the following awards were given. BUDDHA SAMMAN 2025 to Prof Ramhari Das (singer, composer & musicologist), GURU GANGADHAR SMRUTI SAMMAN 2025 to Odissi dancer Sharmila Biswas, Dr. Sangita Gosain (singer & composer), Guru Kalandi Charan Parida (mardala exponent) and Khirod Mohan Pattnaik (Art promoter).  Odissi dancer SUJATA MOHAPATRA, Bharatanatyam dancer DR. SUPARNA VENKATESH, Kathak dancer DEEPA KARTHA were honored with the SREE MUDRA NATIONAL AWARD 2025 (by Sree Mudra Kala Gurukulam & Chithra Arts Foundation) at Sree Mohananadanam National Dance Festival, on Feb 1/2, 2025 at Perambavoor, Kochi, Kerala. NATYA KALA PRATHIBHA AWARD went to Mohiniattam dancer SANDHYA RAJAN and Andhra Natyam dancer LOKA CHANDRASEKHAR, NATYA MOHANA PRATHIBHA AWARD to Bharatanatyam dancer SHWETA VENKATESH.  PT. BIRJU MAHARAJ AWARD instituted by Kalashram in memory of the maestro, was conferred this year upon veteran singer ASHA BHONSLE at a function held in Mumbai. January 2025  IICAT (International Institute for Complementary and Alternative Therapy, Kolkata) presents the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE to TRIPURA KASHYAP on January 31, 2025 for her pioneering work in Dance Movement Therapy, at Rammohun Hall, Kolkata. Over 5000 folk and tribal artists performed 45 traditional dance forms from different parts of the country during the 76th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, 2025. The 11 minute cultural performance was curated by Sangeet Natak Akademi. The lyrics for 'Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam' presentation were written by Subhash Sehgal and the music was composed by Shankar Mahadevan. It made history by setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for THE LARGEST INDIAN FOLK VARIETY DANCE. In Tamilnadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram's NATYA SANGAMAM, 500 dancers including 250 Bharatanatyam dancers and 250 folk dancers performed at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram on January 24, 2025.  Guru SYED SALLAUDDIN PASHA has been awarded the D.Litt (Doctor of Literature) for his groundbreaking thesis, 'Natyashastra on Wheels for Persons with Disabilities,' by Karnataka State Dr. Gangubhai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysore, on January 18, 2025. Notably, this is the world's first classical wheelchair Bharatanatyam guidebook, specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities, paving the way for greater inclusivity in the realm of classical dance.   SATHYANARAYANA RAJU and VEENA MURTHY VIJAY received the HONARARY DOCTORATE from the Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru, on January 18, 2025.  The KANAKA NARTANA PURASKAR 2024 was bestowed on dance critic VIJAY SHANKAR on 12th January 2025 by Nalanda Dance Research Centre in Mumbai. Other awardees include Odissi exponent RABINDRA ATIBUDHI and SAI VENKATESH, President of Karnataka Nrithya Kala Parishath. Nalanda Dance Research Centre awarded the following during its Nalanda Nrityotsava held between January 10 - 13, 2025 at Mumbai. BHARATA MUNI AWARD: singer Dr Suresh Wadkar, Kathak dancer Sunayana Hazarilal. KANAKA NARTANA PURASKAR: Kathak dancer Gauri Sharma Tripathi, Bharatanatyam exponent Gayatri Sriram, Manipuri exponent Latasana Devi, Odissi Guru Rabindra Atibudhi, Sai Venkatesh (President of Karnataka Nritya Kala Parishath) and critic Vijay Shanker. NALANDA NRITYA NIPUNA AWARD: Bharatanatyam dancers Kavya Pujara from Ahmedabad, Simran Cherayil from Mumbai, Kartik Manikandan from Kerala, Varun Shivakumar from Chennai, and Anushkaa Ramanatan from Mumbai. Kathak dancer Rutuja Nadkarni from Mumbai, Nayanika Gangani from Haryana, S Vaidegi and Ananya Mohan Iyer, both from Bangalore, Mohiniattam dancer Thomas Vo Van Tao, Odissi dancer Tamal Das.  BALA DEVI CHANDRASHEKAR's latest digital work, 'An ode to the Tanjore Quartet', was released on 5 January 2025 at the TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, Chennai. Nandini Ramani released the DVD, and Priya Murle, President of ABHAI, received the first copy. On January 12, 2025 the senior Prince Rajasri Babaji Rajah Sahib Bhonsle Chhatrapati released the digital version of 'Brihadeeswara—form to formless' at Thanjavur.  Kumar Performing Arts Center in Mysore presented the KALEMANE KALASHREE AWARD on January 11, 2025 to Sathyanarayana Raju and Guru Vazhuvoor S Palaniappan Pillai in the field of Bharatanatyam, and Prof. S Mallanna for sugama sangeeta.  Manikanchan Kala Manjari presented the MANIKANCHAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to GURU JATIN GOSWAMI on January 7, 2025 at Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati.  Sangeetha Sambrahma presented SAMBRAHMA PURASKAR to artistes Guru Lalitha Srinivasan, Vani Iswara, Sudha Shekar Devulapalli, Devika Rao and scholar critic Dr.M Suryaprasad, on January 5, 2025 at Seva Sadan, Bangalore. During RASA's annual festival The Kala Rasa Mahotsava from Dec 24, 2024 to Jan 4, 2025 in Chennai, the following dance artistes were honoured: Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari (Lifetime Achievement Award and the title of NATANA RASA SHIRONMANI), Dr Sarada Natarajan (NATYA RASA MA MANI), Jayanthi Subramaniam, Priya Murle, Revathi Ramachandran, Radhika Shurajit, Shobana Bhalchandra, Srekala Bharath, Roja Kannan, Madurai R Muralidharan & Chitra Muralidharan, Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, Anitha Guha and Mala Bharath (NATANA RASA MA MANI). Every day, one special achiever was presented the STAR (Special Talent at RASA) Award for excellence in the fields of music, dance and natya.  The Madras Music Academy conferred SANGITA KALANIDHI award on Carnatic musician TM Krishna. Prof Parassala Ravi (V Raveendran Nair) and Geetha Raja were conferred with SANGITA KALA ACHARYA awards. S Narasimhan and S Venkatesan, known as Thiruvaiyyaru Brothers, and violinist H K Narasimhamurthy received TTV AWARD. MUSICOLOGIST AWARD went to Dr. Margaret Bastin. The music awards were given on January 1, 2025 during the sadas. Mohiniattam dancer Dr Neena Prasad was conferred NRITYA KALANIDHI Award at the inauguration of the Annual Dance Festival on January 3, 2025.  Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai, bestowed NALANDA NRITYA NIPUNA on S Vaidegi of Articulate Dance Studio, in January 2025.  The prize winners of the 18th Annual Dance Festival 2025 presented by Madras Music Academy. - Bharatanatyam (seniors), Best dancer: SHIJITH NAMBIAR & PARVATHY MENON Outstanding dancer: G NARENDRA - Sub-seniors (First slot), Best dancer: BHAVAJAN KUMAR, HARINIE JEEVITHA Outstanding dancer: AVIJIT DAS - Sub-seniors (Second slot), Best dancer: PARSHWANATH UPADHYE Outstanding dancer: PURVADHANASHREE - Juniors, Best dancer: PRITAM DAS Outstanding dancer: PV ADITHYA  BIJEESH KRISHNA has been honored with this year's NRITHA SANGEETHAM AWARD for best dance musician by the Kerala Kalamandalam. Highlights - Yearwise listing |
