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 AttenDance 2024 Awards celebrates the spirit of dance - Amrita Dutta e-mail: amritaduttapr@gmail.com Photos: Madhukar December 8, 2024 The AttenDance 2024 Awards held in Bangalore on 30th November, was a stunning celebration of India's rich and diverse dance heritage, bringing together young and seasoned dancers, enthusiasts, and esteemed guests. On a day when five major events were taking place across the city, the houseful AttenDance ceremony stood as a beacon of artistry, cultural identity, and unity, drawing a full house of rasikas to honour the timeless craft of dance. The evening began with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guest Chiranjeev Singh, Chairman of Awards committee (and Karnataka's most respected ex chief secretary, finance and culture too, plus Ambassador to UNESCO) along with Ashish Khokar, the visionary behind AttenDance, and other prominent figures such as Murali Mohan Kalvakalva and Nandini Mehta of Nadam, the minds behind the scenes. Their collective presence set the tone for an evening that would not only celebrate art but also acknowledge the cultural significance of dance in shaping India's identity. The event kicked off with an enchanting ode to the Gods of Dance and a beautiful fusion of Bharatanatyam and Kathak, two of India's most revered classical dance forms. Performed by the talented dancers of Nadam, this performance seamlessly blended the grace of Bharatanatyam with the rhythm of Kathak.  Nadaswaram and thavil musicians AttenDance's journey was revisited with heartfelt reverence, from its inception by Prof Mohan Khokar, the father of Ashish Khokar and popularly known as "Father figure of Indian dance history", to the establishment of the awards platform. Ashish Khokar's tireless work in keeping his father's dream alive has led to a distinguished platform that continues to nurture and celebrate the finest dance talents across India. The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of seven awardees whose exceptional contributions to the dance world were celebrated with the utmost respect. The ceremony also featured a beautiful Pada Puja, performed by young children from Nadam, as a mark of respect and gratitude towards the gurus and their contributions to the art. This heartfelt ritual was a touching tribute to the importance of maintaining the guru-shishya relationship, which has been the backbone of India's artistic traditions for centuries. The sound of Nadaswaram welcoming all and at Pada Puja and citation ceremony, added the right touch of tradition in modern times.  Vanashree Rao receives from Anuradha Shridhar The AttenDance Awards was a gathering of all ages from young prodigies to seasoned masters demonstrating how dance unites different generations, transcending age and experience. The awardees were felicitated by past honorees. So Sharat Prabhat, the creator of mega musicals like 18 Days, presented the citation for Uday Shankar Choreography Award to Vishwakiran Nambi. Aishwarya Nityanand received MK Saroja True Guru Shishya Parampara Award from Deepa Krishnamurthy. Neha Muthiyan of Pune received for Dance Publications from Sampada Pillai. Painter-sculptor Bhagyashree of HCG Swasti Foundation presented to Chittara expert Geetha Bhat for promoting crafts, while Anuradha Shridhar gave Rukmini Devi Overall Contribution Award to Guru Vanashree Rao. Washim Raja was in a pleasant surprise when the star of Bharatanatyam, Parshwanath Upadhye came to bestow him the Ram Gopal Best Male Soloist award. The Mohan Khokar Writing Dance Award went to Ranee Kumar and Maya Rao Lifetime Achievement Award to Guru Aloka Panikar. Since they could not be present, a one-minute film on their achievements was screened.  Chiranjeev Singh, Washim Raja, Ashish Khokar, Parshwanath Upadhye  Impromptu Vande Mataram by awardees The evening culminated in an impromptu dance performance by the awardees in which each awardee showed why their art was worthy of the award: from a stately Washim Raja to apsara like Aishwarya Nityanand to modern dancer Nambi and nimble Neha Muthiyan doing serene Kathak, all danced to guru Vanashree Rao's choreography and in the end they sweetly invited Ashish Khokar to join in, who let his hair down literally and danced with joy!  Awardees Ashish Khokar, critic, author and historian, has always championed the cause of classical and folk dance in India. His vision includes a greater focus on classical dance styles, integration into education, and public consciousness, ensuring that India's cultural heritage continues to thrive. Elisabeth Hall Khokar presented a picture of dignified solidarity. The AttenDance Awards remain a prestigious platform for honouring the finest dancers in the country. Over the past decade, more than 50 exceptional artistes have been recognized for their contributions to the dance community, receiving invaluable opportunities to perform across India and intern with esteemed international dance companies. The awards continue to strengthen the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary society, ensuring that the traditions of Indian dance not only survive but continue to inspire future generations. Amrita Dutta is a media expert with interest in the arts. |
