Mysore/Mysuru: Vid. G. Narendra, the Mysuru-born Bharatanatyam exponent, has been selected for the coveted Nritya Kalanidhi Award for 2026 given by Madras Music Academy, the premier organisation for music and dance. This award is considered as the highest non-Government Award for Dance.
Forty years ago, young Gundurao Narendra, born and brought up in Mysuru, having learnt Bharathanatyam for some years in his home town, left for Chennai in pursuit of realising his dreams of excelling in the art form. He got the opportunity to be trained under eminent gurus at Kalakshetra Foundation, where he did his post-graduation. Even though the present generation of young artistes and rasikas of Mysuru may not have heard his name, Vidwan G. Narendra needs no introduction in art circles of Chennai.
He is the Founder-Director of ‘Avigna Dance Ensemble’ in Chennai. He has played several lead roles as part of the Kalakshetra dance dramas. The fact that Guru Vidushi Yamini Krishnamurthy selected him to be her dance partner is testament to his dancing prowess.
Vid. G. Narendra was earlier honoured by Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, with Nritya Choodamani, the oldest ever coveted award for dance in December, 2025.
He will be bestowed with the Nritya Kalanidhi Award on Jan. 3, 2027 by the Madras Music Academy, the opening day of its 20th Dance Festival.
Interestingly, Vid. Narendra who is the first male dancer to receive the award, is the son of late Gundurao, who was working for University of Mysore.
Mysuru is finding its name in the list of awardees of the Madras Music Academy for the third consecutive year.
Vid. H.K. Narasimhamurthy was honoured by the Academy with the TTK Award for 2024 and Vid. Dr. C.A. Sridhar was conferred the Musicologist Award for 2025.
This post was published on April 1, 2026 6:31 pm