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 Amrit Yuva Kalotsav: A major step towards creating a culturally inclusive nation - Nainika Mukherjee e-mail: punarjjaniculturalcentre@gmail.com Photos: Ann Afreen; Sangeet Natak Akademi photo album February 20, 2023 Sangeet Natak Akademi organised the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Award ceremony from 14th February 2023 to 17th February 2023 at the Meghdoot Auditorium, New Delhi.  Dr. Sandhya Purecha (Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi), Joravarsinh Jadav (Vice Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi), Aneish P Rajan (Secretary of Sangeet Natak Akademi), alongside several eminent dignitaries and world-renowned Indian classical artistes graced this prestigious occasion with their presence. Kishan Reddy Gangapuram, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of the North Eastern Region of India, inaugurated the function and felicitated all 102 awardees from 2019 to 2021 as the offset of the Covid19 pandemic stalled the award ceremony for the last three years. The award felicitation ceremony started with Dr Purecha's speech. She started by mentioning how this ceremony was renamed 'Amrit Yuva Kalotsav' as it is a part and progression of the 'Amrit Kala Mahotsava', which has been active in different parts of the country. She further mentioned, "All the awardees here today are very active and dedicated in their respective fields. The timely artistic talent via multiple cultural activities has enriched our citizens. I believe being felicitated with this prestigious award has rewarded their enthusiasm and insistence. I congratulate all the award-winning artistes!" Following Dr Purecha's encouraging speech, Kishan Reddy Gangapuram emphasised the importance of the acceptance of arts and culture amongst every member of society. He said, "Promoting and encouraging artistes is not just the Indian government's responsibility." The minister strongly believes in creating an arts-based quota, just like a sports quota, in several institutions and companies to encourage artistes from different specialisations. In his speech, he also mentioned how every child's participation in artistic events promotes art and culture while developing their personality and bringing discipline to their life. The final speaker of the evening, Aneish P Rajan elaborated on the process of facilitating the Yuva Puraskar Awards. He said, "The chairperson of the Akademi took charge in the last week of September, and in the first week of November, we had our first General Council (GC). The GC consists of 71 members who, for four marathon days, working almost 24x7, selected 102 awardees from 2000 entries across the country! This time, we wanted newer areas, avenues, awardees and regions which have never been explored till today!" The awardees of 2019 showcased their captivating performances at the Amrit Yuva Kalotsava over four days, which mesmerised the spectators. On the first day (14th February 2023), the following artistes showcased their performances - Santosh Kumar Rana, who presented a Prahlaad Natak (traditional theatre) of Odisha; Gautam Kishore on Hindustani vocal; Palghat Ramprasad on Carnatic vocals along with I Ramakrishnan on Carnatic violin; Sudipa Ghosh's Bharatanatyam recital; B.S. Arun Kumar's contemporary music; and Rajguru, based in Bengaluru who presented a play in Kannada titled '55 Nimishada Ondu Prema Kathe' (55 minutes, one love story). The line-up of performances on the second day (15th February 2023), along with the award ceremony, was as follows - Shaikhom Surchandra Singh showcasing Pung making of Manipur; Dare Khan Manganiar, who performed folk music of Rajasthan; N.K. Sumi performance featuring folk music of Nagaland; Joydeep Mukherjee on Sursingar / Sarod; Anupama Menon's Mohiniattam recital; Swapnokalpa Dasgupta's Odissi recital, and Rajinder Singh from Amritsar, who presented a play in Punjabi titled 'Bhukh Aag Hai' (hunger is fire). On the third day (16th February 2023), the spectators witnessed the performances of the following artistes - Jeetendra Kumar's folk music and dance of Bihar; Sadanam Jyothish Babu's Kathakali vocal music; Shakir Khan on sitar; Satish Krishnamurthy on the mridangam; Okram Jelen Singh's Manipuri recital; Bishwanath Kumbhakar's Chhau recital; Ashengba Yum (The True Home), a play in Manipuri by Hajarimayum Roji Devi from Imphal; and Roop Aroop, a play in Hindi by Gauri Dewal from Delhi. A workshop on Art Critique featuring these notable and legendary artists - Bharat Gupt, Shovana Narayan and Shailaja Khanna - set the tone for the fourth and concluding day of the Amrit Yuva Kalotsav, followed by performances from the following artists: Vikas Maruti Kokate's folk music of Maharashtra; Virender Singh Rajput's folk music of Uttarakhand; Prabhat Kakoti's Sattriya recital; Sreelakshmy Govardhanan's Kuchipudi recital; Arupa Lahiry's Bharatanatyam recital; Swati Sinha's Kathak recital; and a play titled 'Veer Raja Nahar Singh' by Abhimanyu, based in Chandigarh. Here's what some of the awardees have to say after receiving the Ustaad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar.  Anupama Menon (Mohiniattam, 2019): "I wish to be known as a performer, always. My dream project is to choreograph a concept-based performance on the history of Mohiniattam."  Arupa Lahiry, Overall Contribution/Performing Art - (Bharatanatyam, 2019): "I am grateful to my Guru Chitra Visweswaran, and my parents. Being a Bengali, I believe it is a purva janma connection to come to Bhaartanatyam and continue to work hard."  Birender Singh (Folk Music, Uttarakhand, 2019): "After receiving this award, I am taking responsibility for a long-lived tradition and culture of Uttarakhand through folk music and other art forms."  Dhaniram Kadmiya (Folk Music & Dance, Chhattisgarh, 2020): "Hailing from the Baiga community of Chhattisgarh, I was born and grew in the world of this art form. I ensure the mission of carrying forward the culture to the next generation."  Dyaneshwar Deshmukh (Hindustani Instrumental - pakhawaj, 2021): "This award is a motivation for youngsters. I feel motivated to carry this tradition forward!"  Jollymoni Saikia (Sattriya, 2020): "I am grateful to my Gurus Rasheswar Saikia Barbayan and Ranjumoni Saikia ji. It gives me immense happiness to represent the youth of Assam here, for which I thank SNA."  Maithili Thakur (Folk Music, Bihar, 2021): "As the youngest awardee, the responsibility that comes with this award makes me happy!"  Manas Kumar Chamuah (Hindustani Instrumental - violin, 2020): "Along with the joyful experience of this occasion, I am also taking responsibility for promoting the upcoming generation in this specialisation."  Prabhat Kakoti (Sattriya, 2019): "I strongly believe this milestone will help me continue the promotion of Sattriya and reach more people."  Pravata Kumar Swain (Odissi, 2020): "Receiving an award like this at a young age is motivational for an artiste, as they also realise the responsibility they will be carrying forward."  Rekha Raju (Overall Contribution Mohiniattam, 2020): "From studying CA to entering the field of art, a lot of learnings changed me - the way I talk, walk, dress, etc. Becoming an artiste is indeed a blessing."  Reshma Shah (Folk Music Uttarakhand, 2021): "To know and understand Pahadi culture, history and language, it is a must to listen to Pahadi folk music. I want to carry this mission forward and spread my culture through music."  S. Raghavendra (Puppet Making, 2020): "I am grateful to my Guru M.R. Ranganatha Rao. One of the major contributions leading to this award was reviving temple-based rod puppets of Karnataka, which was a hard task and now happy to see that it was recognised."  Satish Krishnamurthy (Carnatic instrumental - mridangam, 2019): "Working hard and relentlessly is the reality of our field, and when recognised with an award like this, it always boosts our motivation to continue our work."  Sreelakshmy Govardhanan (Kuchipudi, 2019): "As an artiste, I would like to carry forward the old form of Kuchipudi, which is Yakshaganam -- the style, adavu pattern, musicality and literary aspects in its authentic form that I learnt from my Guru Pasumarthi Rathiah Sharma and continue as an educator."  Trina Roy (Kathak, 2020): "I believe my Gurus are alive through me. I wish to showcase the legacy of my gharana, the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, in its best possible way."  Vaishali Jadav (Tamasha, Maharashtra, 2021): "The role of a Lavani artiste brings me energy and youthfulness to carry forward the promotional activities and culture of Maharashtra." |
