The seven-day Nishagandhi Dance Festival, which is organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala will begin on January 20 at the sprawling Kanakakunnu Palace grounds in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, enlivening the evenings of the city with the rhythmic chime of anklets of leading exponents as well as upcoming artistes of diverse Indian choreographic traditions.
Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala will inaugurate the annual event at Nishagandhi Auditorium and present the prestigious Nishagandhi Puraskaram to eminent Bharatanatyam exponent and choreographer Dr. C.V. Chandrasekhar.
The coveted honor, bestowed on top-notch choreographers in recognition of their outstanding contributions, carries a purse of Rs 1.5 lakh, a bronze statuette of Bharathamuni, and citation. Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Co-operation, Tourism, and Devaswoms told a press conference at Trivandrum.
“Nishagandhi Dance Festival is an attractive and valued product showcased every year by Kerala Tourism. The event also promises days of happiness to visitors as well as the residents of the state capital, “ Mr. Surendran said.
Dr. Chandrasekhar has been selected for the Nishagandhi Puraskaram in view of his invaluable contributions as a dancer, scholar, and teacher, the Minister added.
The awardee and the dancers of the fest were selected by an eminent jury consisting of Shri C.P. Nair, former Chief Secretary of Kerala, and writer; Dr. V.R. Prabodhachandran Nair, Linguist; Smt Methil Devika, Dancer, and choreographer; Ms. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Tourism; and Mr. P Bala Kiran, Director, Tourism.
Octogenarian Dr. Chandrasekhar has a PG Diploma in Bharatanatyam, besides undergoing training at Kalakshethra, Chennai, under the tutelage of legendary Bharatanatyam exponents like Rukminidevi Arundale, Karaikal Saradambal, and K.N. Dhandaipani Pillai. He is also a mentee of Carnatic musicians Budalur Krishnamurthy Sastri and MD Ramanathan.
Dr Chandrasekhar has performed on stages along with his danseuse wife Smt Jaya Chandrasekhar and daughters Chithra and Manjari. He embraced dance as his profession and later joined Banaras Hindu University.
In 1992, he retired as the Head of Performing Arts and Dean from MS University, Baroda. At present, Dr Chandrasekhar is running a dance institution, ‘Nrithyasree’, in Chennai. A Padma Bhushan awardee, he was conferred with Sangeet Natak Academi Award in 1993, and Kalidas Samman in 2008.
“Dr Chandrasekhar is not just a brilliant performer and choreographer but also a highly revered guru who has moulded many doyens in the domain of dance,” said Smt Devika. On the selection of performers for the festival, she said the list includes highly dedicated upcoming artistes as well.
Besides the members of the jury, Tourism Secretary Mr. Rani George, Director Shri P Bala Kiran and Additional Director Mr. Krishna Teja IAS were also present at the press meet.
This edition of the festival will feature performances of P. Praveen Kumar, Arun Sankar, Mansia. P.V, Arjun. S. Kulathingal, N. Srikanth, Aswathy Srikanth, Devika Sajeevan, and Jyothsna Jaganathan (Bharatanatyam); Kalamandalam Veena Warrier, Dr. RLV Ramakrishnan& group, Madhavi Chandran, and Dr. Sumitha Nair. N (Mohiniyattam); Kavitha Dwibedi& group (Odissi); Bimbavathi Devi (Manipuri); Navin. R. Hegde, and Rohini Prabhath (Kathak); and Geetha Padmakumar&group, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant and Reshma. U. Raj (Kuchipudi).
On an inaugural day, ‘Nrithya Dhara’, a fusion of Odissi, Chhau, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, and Manipuri, will be staged. Padma Shri Ranjana Guhar and Utsav Repertory, Guru Santhosh Nair, Sandhya, Guru Jayaprabha Menon, Guru Vidya Lal, and Guru Mangoljao Singh.
As the nation is commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a specially choreographed production on the life and message of the Father of the Nation will be staged on January 26.
Eminent artists, including Shri Kalamandalam Gopi, will perform in the “Kathakali Mela” to be held in parallel to the dance festival on all seven days.
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