Mysuru: The prestigious ‘Navachandika Natya Choodamani’ International Award was conferred on Dance Professor from Mysuru, Karnataka Kalashree Dr. K. Kumar by Swami Kailas Puri Mahakal Bhairav Akhada (Himalayas).

From Oct. 4 to 13, a grand ‘Navachandika Mahayaga Nritya Sangeetotsava’ was organised on the occasion of Dasara (Navarathri).

During this event, ‘Navachandika Natya Choodamani’ International Awards were presented to several eminent dance gurus for their significant contributions to the field of dance. The Award Ceremony took place at Kottayil Kovilakam, Sri Krishna Swamy Temple, North Paravur, Chendamangalam, Kochi, Kerala.

On Oct. 12, the Award Presentation Ceremony, presided over by Swami Gurudasnath Saraswati, Swami Kailas Puri Mahakal Bhairav Akhada (Himalayas), was successfully conducted with the support of Kalmandalam Sreeja R. Krishnan, Kalamandalam Satyanarayanan and Kalamandalam Sree Lakshmi Sreekumar.

During this event, Dr. K. Kumar, a senior music and dance guru, was honoured with the ‘Navachandika Natya Choodamani’ International Award.

Following the Award Ceremony, Dr. Kumar, along with his daughters — K.M. Lekha and K.M. Nidhi, famous as ‘Kalemane Sisters’ — gave an extraordinary Bharatanatyam performance.

This marks the 9th international award for Dr. K. Kumar, who is currently the Head and Professor of the Dance Department at the College of Fine Arts, University of Mysore, Mysuru.