The week-long Nishagandhi Dance Festival, one of India’s iconic classical dance carnivals organised by Kerala Tourism, will get off to a colourful start at the verdant Kanakakunnu Palace grounds at Trivandrum on Friday (February 14).
At the inaugural ceremony of the annual festival, Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas Tourism Minister, Govt of Kerala will present the prestigious Nishagandhi Puraskaram to leading Kathak exponent Pandit Rajendra Gangani, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian classical dance. The honour carries a prize money of Rs 1,50,000, a citation and a memento.
Pandit Gangani was selected for the honour by a jury comprising former chief secretary and writer Mr K Jayakumar, playwright and cultural personality Soorya Krishnamurthy and performer and choreographer Rajashree Warrier, with Mr K Biju Secretary Kerala Tourism as the panel Chairman and Ms Sikha Surendran, Director of Kerala Tourism as Convener.
Minister for General Education and Labour Mr.V Sivankutty will preside over the inaugural ceremony and Mr.G R Anil Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, will be the Chief Guest. Dr Shashi Tharoor MP, Mr AA Rahim MP, Adv V K Prasanth MLA, Ms Arya Rajendran, Mayor of Trivandrum Corporation, Shri Suresh Kumar, District Panchayat President and Dr Reena K S, Ward Councillor will be present. Mr.K Biju will welcome the gathering and Ms Sikha Surendran will propose a vote of thanks.
The festival has lined up India’s best classical dancers and upcoming stars to mesmerise the audience converging at the venue. The performers are drawn from diverse Indian classical dance including Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathak, Sattriya and Odissi.
A Kathakali Mela featuring hundreds of Kathakali artists will also be part of the seven-day festival. Kathakali performances will be held at the venue inside Kanakakkunnu Palace every day.
The inaugural ceremony will be followed by a Bharatanatyam performance choreographed by Parshwanath S. Upadhye & Adithya P.V. of Punyah Dance Company. Pandit Rajendra Gangani & Group will enthral the audience with a Kathak performance on the opening day.
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