Mysuru:  Kumar Performing Arts Centre (KPAC), Mysuru, had organised the 45th, 46th and 47th International Kale Mane Festival and 4th International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Competition at its Kalemane Sabhaangana in Hebbal from Oct. 25 to 27.

This grand event celebrated artistes from various fields, including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and classical music and conferred the Annual Kalemane Kalashree Award on eminent persons from the media, cultural field and performing artistes. With over 250 artistes from various States participating, the dance fest symbolised unity in diversity.

On Oct. 25, as part of the 45th Festival, Amshi Prasanna Kumar (Journalism),  Maruti Badiger (Cultural Organiser), M.R. Anand Raj Urs (Bharatanatyam), Dr. Padmashree (Bharatanatyam), K.S. Shaila (Bharatanatyam) and S.M. Sharath (Bharatanatyam) were honoured with Kalemane Kalashree Award in the presence of Vidwan V. Nanjundaswamy.

Following the awards, under the guidance of Dr. K. Kumar, students of KPAC presented a captivating two-hour-and-thirty-minute lec-dem and dance programme that enchanted the audience.

On Oct. 26, during the 46th Festival, Suryanarayana Murthy (Bharatanatyam), D. Manjula (Bharatanatyam), Kalamandalam Sreeja R. Krishnan (Mohiniyattam), Vidu. Saloni Jagadish (Bharatanatyam) and Vid. M. Gopal (Bharatanatyam) were awarded Kalemane Kalashree.

Following this, students and the awarded gurus together performed dance pieces.

On Oct. 27, 4th International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Dance Competition was held in the morning featuring 36 competitors from various States. Vidwan K. Guruprasad inaugurated the competition, while renowned judges, including Vidwan Vikas from Tumkur and Vidwans Girish from Puttur and Chandrakumar from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, evaluated the performances, ensuring a successful event.

In the evening the same day, during the 47th Festival, Shamal Pawar (Bharatanatyam), Dr. Ronika J. Christie (Bharatanatyam), Vid. Guruprasad (Karnataka Classical Musician) and Shubha Dhananjay (Bharatanatyam) were awarded Kalemane Kalashree. Following the awards ceremony, mesmerising Bharatanatyam performances by the awarded gurus, along with Vidushi Archana, Vidushi Archana Chetana, and J.K. Ranika, enthralled the spectators.

For organising such a remarkable three-day Dance Fest and Bharatanatyam Competition, Dr. K. Kumar, his wife Dr. G. Malathy and their daughters, Lekha and Nidhi, who brought together renowned senior and junior artistes from across the country, were widely appreciated by the audience.