Explore Business Standard
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday honoured 20 artists with the Lalit Kala Akademi National Awards, and said that art is a powerful means of enriching cultural heritage and making the society more sensitive. The award ceremony also marked the culmination of the 64th National Exhibition of Art at the academy, featuring 283 art works from across the country in disciplines ranging from painting, sculpture, photography, and installation. "In Indian tradition, art has been considered a form of spiritual practice. Artists are accorded a special place of respect in our society. Your art is not only a medium of aesthetic expression but also a powerful means of enriching our cultural heritage and making society more sensitive," Murmu said. She added that through the diverse mediums displayed in the exhibition, it is evident that Indian art is constantly evolving and presenting new dimensions. "Our artists, through their thoughts, vision, and creativity, are presenting the image of a new
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed sadness at the passing of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia and said her contribution in the field of performing arts would be cherished forever. "My deep condolences to her family, friends and admirers," the president said in a post on X. The 95-year-old died at her home in Ahmedabad around 11 am, said Parul Thakore, administrator of Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music that Lakhia founded in Ahmedabad in 1964. She had been suffering from age-related ailments for the past three months, Thakore said. "Sad to learn about the passing away of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia ji. Honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Lakhia ji trained and mentored numerous students through Kadamb Centre for Dance," Murmu said in her post. "She transformed the presentation of Kathak dance through innovative contemporary interpretations. Her contribution in the field of performing arts will be cherished forever. My deep condolen
Showcasing India's vibrant colors and cultural diversity, an ensemble of more than 5,000 artists representing over 45 dance forms will perform during the Republic Day celebrations here on January 26. Titled 'Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam', the program has been conceived by the Ministry of Culture and the Sangeet Natak Akademi and will be presented during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, officials said. "This remarkable performance will feature over 5,000 artists representing more than 45 traditional and folk dance forms from across India," the official said. The dance forms that are planned to be showcased include Jhijhiya (Bihar), Mayur Ras (Uttar Pradesh), Dangi (Gujarat), Lambadi (Telangana), and Purulia Chau (West Bengal), among others. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who attended its rehearsals a few days ago, had earlier said, "This is a glimpse of India's fame through its cultural wealth.
The Odisha government has approved a proposal for establishment of an outreach centre of the National School of Drama (NSD) in Bhubaneswar, state minister Suryabanshi Suraj said. In the initial phase, it will operate temporarily at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar. The outreach centre of NSD marks a prestigious milestone for Odisha, offering a golden opportunity for students aspiring to build careers in theatre and acting, said Suraj, Odisha's Minister for Odia Language, Literature, and Culture. The minister emphasised that the outreach centre of NSD in Bhubaneswar will play a significant role in promoting and expanding Odia theatre, bringing regional narratives and traditional drama into the national and global spotlight. The decision to set up an NSD outreach centre in Odisha was taken after consultations between Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Culture Minister Suraj. Highlighting the importance of Odia theatre, Suraj said, "Odisha's rich
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said the government is committed towards boosting creative economy, mentoring outstanding artists and encouraging youngsters to achieve cinematic excellence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in the energy of youth and he wants that more opportunities and platforms be given to them, Thakur said. He was speaking after inaugurating the '75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow' section on the sidelines of Film Bazaar of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 in Goa. This is the third edition of the section in which 75 young filmmakers have been selected from 19 states. Thakur said, Nine years back, India was nowhere in the startup domain, but with a new policy, India has emerged as the third largest startup ecosystem in the world with one hundred thousand startups in the country." When the world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic, India had 50 unicorns, he said. You can well imagine, when big comp
Popular Indian singer Kanika Kapoor, heroes from the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and Indian-origin high achievers are among the winners of this year's Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) in London. Kapoor was bestowed with a Special Award for Contribution to Music as a musician whose songs have been streamed by millions. Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Bexley Dr Nikki Kanani won Professional of the Year and fellow healthcare professionals Salman Desai BEM was awarded for his work for the North West Ambulance Service and Dr Lalitha Iyer for her dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic targeting a reduction in deaths among ethnic minorities in the country. The Asian Achievers Awards provide a great opportunity for us to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of British Asians in the UK. It is good to celebrate the positive impact and contribution all the nominees have made in creating a more modern, dynamic and globally-facing economy in the UK, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak