Mysuru: The city-based Kumar Performing Arts Centre has completed 36 glorious years and is stepping into its 37th year. To mark this occasion, the Centre is organising a Grand Dance Festival as part of the 45th, 46th and 47th ‘International Nirantara Kalemane Festival’ at its Kalemane Sabhangana in Hebbal from Oct. 25 to 27.

During these three days, 15 individuals who have made notable contributions in their respective fields will be honoured with ‘Kalemane Kalashree’ Awards.

Over 200 dancers from various parts of the country will  be showcasing diverse dance performances during the fest.

Additionally, on Oct. 27, the ‘4th International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Dance Competition’ will be held, where participants from several States will compete with each other.

‘Kalemane Kalashree’ Award recipients are as follows: Amshi Prasanna Kumar, Journalism, Mysuru; Maruti Badiger, Cultural Organiser, Raichur; M. Gopal, Bharatanatyam, Sagara; M.R. Anand Raj Urs, Bharatanatyam, Mysuru; Dr. Padmashree, Bharatanatyam, Mysuru; K.S. Shaila, Bharatanatyam, Mandya; S.M. Sharath, Bharatanatyam, Mysuru; Suryanarayana Murthy, Bharatanatyam, Chennai; D. Manjula, Bharatanatyam, Bengaluru; Kalamandalam Sreeja R. Krishnan, Mohiniyattam, Chennai; Vidushi Saloni Jagadish, Bharatanatyam, Bengaluru; Vidwan Guruprasad, Karnataka Classical Musician, Mysuru; Shubha Dhananjay, Bharatanatyam and President, Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy, Bengaluru; Shamal Pawar, Bharatanatyam, Mumbai and Dr. Ronika J. Christie, Bharatanatyam, Chennai.

On Oct. 25 at 4.30 pm, the 45th International Nirantara Kalemane Fest will begin with a Bharatanatyam feature titled “Nrutyarpanam” by the students of Kumar Performing Arts Centre, choreographed and directed by Karnataka Kalashree Dr. K. Kumar.

On Oct. 26 at 2.30 pm, during the 46th International Nirantara Kalemane Festival performances will be presented by  the following troupes:

Suryanarayana Murthy, Chennai; Manjula Jagadish and team, Bengaluru; Vidushi Saloni Jagadish and team, Bengaluru; Vidwan M. Gopal and team, Sagara; Students of Kumar Performing Arts Centre; Mohiniyattam by Sreeja R. Krishnan, Chennai.

On Oct. 27, the 47th International Nirantara Kalemane Festival and the 4th International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Competition will be held. The competition will be inaugurated at 9.30 am by Vidwan Guruprasad, Mysuru, Vidwan Girish Puttur, Natya Kalaymani C. Chandrakumar Chidambaram and Vidwan Vikas Shanmukh Tumkur.

At 2.30 pm, the 47th International Nirantara Kalemane Festival will be officially inaugurated by Shubha Dhananjay, followed by performances from Shamal Pawar and team; Dr. Ronika Christie and team; Vidu. H.R. Archana and team, Bengaluru; Vidu. Archana – Vidu.Chetana, Bengaluru; Kumari J. K. Raahini, Bengaluru. Entry is free for all the three-day dance programmes.