The 41st and 42nd International Nirantara Kalemane Utsava of Kumar Performing Arts Centre (KPAC) was organised at its Kalemane Sabhaangana in Hebbal 2nd Stage in city recently.

During these two days, many senior artistes and social workers who have significantly contributed to various fields were honoured with the 2024 International ‘Kalemane Kalashree’ award. The second International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Dance Competition saw participation from senior dance gurus and their teams from various States of India, presenting diverse dance performances. Over 200 dancers participated, bringing a rich cultural experience to life.

The ‘41st International Kalemane Utsava’ was inaugurated by Guru Dr. P.K. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, Guru Mithra Naveen, Guru Jyoti N. Hegde, Guru K.S. Shyla, Guru Smriti Ramesh Kaushik and Guru Baija Rani Lijin, who also opened the ‘International Kalemane Bharatanatyam Dance Competition. KPAC awarded special prizes to the contestants as a mark of honour.

‘International Kalemane Award’ was presented to P.S. Nandini, renowned Mathematics teacher from Mysuru and Dr. V. Ranganath, retired Tahsildar, writer, teacher and scholar from Mysuru. The couple has dedicated over four decades to education and social service.

After the award ceremony, Guru Rakshita Raghunathan, Artistic Director, Samruddhi Dance Foundation, Bengaluru, presented Bharatanatyam dance performance while Vidu. Divya Jyoti Chakravarti, Grade ‘A’ artiste, Indian Traditional Arts Council, Karimganj, Assam and Guru D.S. Snigdha, Artistic Director, Omkar Music Academy, Bengaluru, gave a Kathak performance.

During the ‘42nd International Kalemane Utsava’, the ‘International Kalemane Kalashree Award’ was conferred on  Vid. V. Nanjundaswamy and Prof. H.S. Umadevi, renowned personalities in the field of Karnatak Music and various other fields including Philosophy and Gayatri Mantra practice; L. Shivalingappa, Founder of Mysore Art Gallery and a significant contributor to the fields of painting, sculpture and literature.

Around 20 students from KPAC presented diverse Bharatanatyam and folk dance performances under the direction of Dr. K. Kumar, starting the programme auspiciously. They showcased a 40-minute dance programme including Alarippu, Chatur Devata Stuti, Jatiswaram and Padavarnam with special choreography, mesmerising the audience.

Next, the disciples of renowned Dance Guru Roopa Girish, Founder-Director, Nritya Lahari Kala Kendra, Bengaluru, presented the Ashtalakshmi dance vaibhava and Sri Chamundeshwari Palayamam composed by Sri Mysore Vasudevacharya.

Later, Guru Srilakshmi Tejas, Founder-Director of Gati Sri Performing Centre, Bengaluru and her senior disciples presented four Bharatanatyam dance sequences. Lastly, Guru Vidu. Smriti Ramesh Kaushik, Founder-Director, Vismaya School of Learning, presented 4 dance sequences in a 30-minute performance.