June 2026
ANITA SAYS.....
I do not love you with my heart and mind,
I love you with my soul,
In case my mind forgets and my heart stops.
- Rumi
May was a series of immensely theatrical spectacles. And none were about dance!
I will, of course, blend my month of observations and reflections into
our world of dance, but not before casting a wider lens on the very idea
of PERFORMITIVITY that has permeated every sphere of our waking
moments.
I begin by converging the three grand events of Fashion, Sports and
Politics. While they may represent entirely different worlds, in May,
all three genres demonstrated a remarkable convergence of productivity,
performance, precision and theatricality. Each became a grand stage
where discipline and spectacle fused in ways that rivalled the dazzle of
Broadway and the excesses of Las Vegas and Bollywood.
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TAKITATOM
The Sadar Mahal Palace
Trust has been established in Thanjavur with the objective of
preserving the rich heritage of the historic Thanjavur Maratha legacy
and promoting Indian classical arts. The trust also seeks to foster and
promote classical Indian performing arts, especially Carnatic music and
Bharatanatyam, by organizing music festivals, dance festivals, lecture
demonstrations, cultural programs, and educational activities. The trust
was founded by Pratap Sinh Serfoji Raje Bhosale, who serves as the
Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee.
Goa's Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has announced scholarships and
stipends for students training in performing arts, including classical
music, folk dance, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, theatre, Dashavatara and Goan
folk arts. Under the scheme, selected students will receive financial
assistance ranging from Rs.3600 to Rs.9000 towards training fees and
stipends.
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AWARDS
 Kalasagar
presented KALASAGAR AWARDS for the year 2026 on May 28, 2026 at
Kaaralmanna Kunchu Nair Memorial Trust Hall, Kerala. The awardees are:
K. B. Raj Anand - Art Criticism
Kalluvazhi Vasu - Vesham
Kottakkal P. D. Namboodiri - Music
Kalamandalam Narayanankutty & Vijayamaniyamma - Chenda
Kodassery Parameswaran Nair - Maddalam
Kottakkal Ramachandran - Chutti
The PADMA AWARDS were given by President Droupadi Murmu on May 25, 2026 at New Delhi.
PADMA BHUSHAN: Dr. Shatavadhani R Ganesh (Karnataka)
PADMA SHRI: Deepika Reddy (Telangana), Kalamandalam Vimala Menon (Kerala) |
ATMA SHANTI
South African artist, novelist and dance historian DONOVAN ROEBERT
passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 8, 2026. He founded and was
director of the South African Friends of Tibet from 2000 to 2012. He
taught Buddhist theory and practice from 2007 to 2011. Passionate about
Indian dance, he generously shared his invaluable knowledge on Indian
dance, especially through his pictorial essays featuring rare vintage
dance photos. He derived great joy from the world of classical
Indian dance, and the research he did in this field was an endlessly
inspiring pursuit. His insightful essays, his research perspectives and
keen documentation have touched the hearts of many in the arts
community.
Manipuri dancer KSHETRIMAYUM THOURANISABI DEVI (6 Nov 1934 - 12 May
2026), one of the most revered and distinguished artistes in the field
of Manipuri Raas and Nata Sankirtana, passed away at her residence in
Imphal due to age related ailments. Her contributions to preserving and
enriching our rich cultural heritage have been invaluable. Her passing
is an irreparable loss not only to the world of Manipuri Raas and Nata
Sankirtana but also to the entire artistic and cultural community.
Thouranisabi Devi was associated with Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance
Academy where she taught for several years as Guru Rasdhari, Guruhan and
Pradhan Guru till her retirement in 2006. She is credited with two
books, Diva Ras (2 volumes-1993) and Ras Makha Amsung Nungi Masahk
(2006), both based on Manipuri dance. She was a recipient of the Royal
Robe from Maharaja Okendrajit Singh and a gold medal from the govt of
Manipur. Decorated with several awards like Manipur State Kala Akademi
award in 1977 and Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1980, she was honoured
by the govt of India in 2003 with Padma Shri.
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