August 2025
ANITA SAYS.....
"The death of classical ballet, long predicted,
Never happens because a new generation of dancers
always find themselves
entranced by its discipline and drama"
- Sarah Compton, dance writer in THE OBSERVOR, UK
Hello everyone and welcome to August.
The above quote, from a dance writer, can also be applied to Indian
classical dance. Every year, we seniors knit our eyebrows in concern
about falling standards, shorter time spans to train a student and the
relentless pull of influencers and social media in shrinking
imaginations. However, the inflow of new students in dance classrooms
does not reduce. More and more parents seem to want their offspring to
learn the classical arts.
This month, I will discuss a diva's crossing over from centre stage to
front page. A chameleon like cross dresser enduring across 7 decades,
the growing menace of fake news exacerbated by technology and the power
of movement to heal the plight of Parkinson's victims - there is a lot
to unpack so let's dive right in!
Read more
or
Use the audio control (at the top of the page in the website) to listen to the editorial
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TAKITATOM
Passengers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport
can now enjoy classical music and dance performances as part of a new
initiative called DEL Vibes, launched by Delhi International Airport
Limited on July 21.
A dance series of 27 short videos titled "Indian Classical Dance -
Pointers to the Art of Transcendence" conceptualised and directed by
Kathak dancer Shila Mehta, a collection of her inner reflections born out of curiosity and a deep reverence for the Arts, was launched on July 10.
Artkin Centre & Kanagasabai School of Bharatanatyam presented the
Chennai launch of book 'Agama Bharatam: Ancient dance system of India's
temples (Part 1)' by dancer Swapnasundari.
Remona Evette Pereira, a student of St Aloysius (Deemed to be
University) in Mangaluru, has etched her name into 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.
'The Sacred Dance of Ancient India and its Relevance to Hindu
Iconography' authored by Sarah Vieira Magalhães, 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)
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Slide show
AWARDS
At Lasyalahari 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 six
decades through her insightful critiques and writings.
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.
Ranjana Gauhar's Utsav Society presents 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.
 
At the Smriti Festival, PT BIRJU MAHARAJ SMRITI AWARD to the
Dhananjayans and PT BIRJU MAHARAJ YUVA PURASKAR AWARD to Shanky Singh
will be given on August 15, 2025 at Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra,
Chennai.
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.
Griffin College London conferred the ACHARYA KALASAKARA Lifetime
Achievement Award on DR. LAKSHMI RAMASWAMY for her dedication to
Bharatanatyam on July 25, 2025.
RUKMINI VIJAYAKUMAR received the KUMAR GANDHARVA AWARD from the Madhya Pradesh govt on June 26, 2025.
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.
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ATMA SHANTI
Guru THIYAM SURYAMUKHI DEVI
expired on 29th June 2025. 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
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. Kumkum 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.
Iconic Manipuri theatre personality RATAN THIYAM (1948-2025),
passed away on July 23, 2025 at Imphal, aged 77. Born to Manipuri
dance artistes, Thiyam initially studied painting before transitioning
to literature and theatre. He was one of the pioneers of the Theatre of
Roots movement that blended ancient Indian theatrical traditions with
modern themes and theatrical techniques. In 1976, he founded the Chorus
Repertory Theatre in Imphal. An alumnus of the National School of Drama
who later became its Director and Chairman, he was also former Vice
Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Thiyam's spectacular productions, including Chakravyuha, Uttar
Priyadarshi, Ritusamharam, Urubhangam, Lengshonnei (an adaptation of
Antigone), Andha Yug and a Manipuri rendition of Macbeth, were
celebrated for their poetic intensity, visual splendour, and integration
of Manipuri dance and music and Thang-Ta martial arts.
'Some Roots Grow Upwards,' a 2003 documentary by Kavita Joshi and Malati
Rao, was based on the life and work of Ratan Thiyam, especially his
political ideologies, and his use of theatre as medium of political
protest. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987
and Padma Shri in 1989, Kalidas Samman, France's La Grande Medaille
(1997), John D. Rockefeller Award (2008) and Sangeet Natak Akademi
Fellowship (2012).
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
To conform or to rebel…
- Deepa Mahadevan
Modern dance however has been since its inception, an art made by
individuals, who have something to say and intend to say it, in their
own way .
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