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Awards and Recognition in Classical Dance

byNirupama RajendraAvailable in Bengaluru and travels across IndiaStarts from₹1,50,000 per choreography composition (approx. 10-12 mins)View full gallery

These honors are shared celebrations of the art, our Gurus, and the enduring community that keeps Indian classical dance alive.

In the song of our artistic life, creativity has been the very breath of air. To know the Nation will honor this by bestowing upon us the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is a proud and humbling moment.

I am deeply touched to receive the Devi Award from The New Indian Express. This recognition is a testament to the love and support I have received from my family, gurus, collaborators, and everyone on my journey.

I am humbled by the Shivarathri Puraskar bestowed by the Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan foundation. It was an honor to be recognized alongside fellow Padma and SNA awardees from Karnataka.

Heartfelt congratulations to my husband Rajendra on receiving the Narthaka 2025 Award from the Natyanjali Trust in Chennai. This is a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions to Kathak as a multifaceted artist.

Rajendra and I feel deeply humbled to receive the Fellow of Vedic Wellness University in recognition of our contribution to dance. Receiving the honor from the Maharaja of Mysore was even more humbling.

We are thrilled to announce that T.D. Rajendra and his brother T.D. Srinivasa will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the S.V.N. Trust for their outstanding contributions to the world of art.

We are deeply grateful to Sangeet Natak Akademi for the prestigious SNA Puraskar. We are now thrilled to be invited to perform our Kathak choreographies at the SNA Festival in Mysore.

An invitation for the S.V. Narayanaswamy Rao Birth Centenary award ceremony, where my husband Rajendra is being honored. We are so proud of his dedication and legacy in the service of arts.

A list of the eminent personalities being honored with the S.V.N. Rao Birth Centenary Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award. It is a privilege for Rajendra to be included among such distinguished artists.

About Awards & Accolades

These accolades are not just titles, but reminders of the immense responsibility we hold as practitioners of Kathak and Bharatanatyam. Every award, from the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar to the Shivarathri Kala Puraskar, stands as a symbol of the tireless dedication of our musicians, dancers, and family who make our productions possible.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipients — Approved by the tribe
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Nirupama Rajendra

Available in Bengaluru and travels across IndiaStarts from ₹1,50,000 per choreography composition (approx. 10-12 mins)

My husband Rajendra and I believe dance is a spiritual conversation. Together, we lead Abhinava Dance Company with a deep devotion to our Gurus and a constant desire to share the beauty of Indian classical forms.

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The 'Nrithya Choodamani' gold medallion from the prestigious Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.36
The citation for the 'Nrithya Choodamani' award, recognizing my service and contribution to Bharatanatyam and the cause of fine arts.
The reverse side of the medallion, engraved with my name. A truly cherished honour.
Holding the 'Nrithya Choodamani' citation. This award from Krishna Gana Sabha, a Sabha I have long admired, is deeply meaningful.

Awards and Recognition: Bharatanatyam Achievements

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Geeta ChandranTravels across Delhi NCR and pan-India for workshops and speaking engagements
Receiving the 'Kalayogi Award' was a special moment, shared with esteemed artists and gurus. Such recognition encourages us to continue our work with even more dedication.4
Holding the 'Kalayogi Award 2022-23'. I am grateful to the Kalayogi Pratishtana for this honor and I dedicate it to my gurus, parents, and my entire Nrithyakuteera family.
A look at the official announcement for the Kalayogi award. It's an honor to be recognized among such talented and respected artists in the field of dance and music.
A group photograph with all the honored artists at the Kalayogi award ceremony. It was a wonderful evening celebrating art and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

Awards and Recognition for Bharatanatyam Excellence

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NrithyakuteeraTraining available at studios in Chamrajpet and JP Nagar
With my Guru, Pt. Rajendra Gangani, on Guru Poornima. To be able to learn from him in person is a blessing I am forever grateful for. His teachings are the light that guides my path.8
Humbled to receive the prestigious "Rajyothsava" award from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI). Recognition from my home state is incredibly meaningful.
It was an honor to be bestowed with the title "Kala-PraPoorna" by the Shivapriya Institute and MS Natyakshetra. I am grateful for this encouragement of my work.

Artistic Recognition and Guru Parampara

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Sharat PrabhathStudio in Jayanagar; Available across India
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A review of my performance in The Hindu. It is always insightful to read a critical perspective on my work, especially when it acknowledges the nuances of abhinaya and bhakti-sringara in the compositions.
An article in The Indian Express about my Bharatanatyam recital. I am thankful to the journalists and critics who take the time to engage with my work and share it with a wider audience.
Speaking at a concert at NCPA Mumbai. Part of being an artist is sharing the context and stories behind the pieces, connecting with the audience not just through dance but also through words.

Bharatanatyam Awards and Performance Reviews

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AdithyaStudio in NRI Layout; Travels across Bengaluru & India
A deeply humbling moment, receiving the Rashtriya Achiever Award for my contribution to the field of Kathak. I accept it with immense gratitude to my gurus, Pt. Birju Maharaj ji and Saswati Sen ji.6
Posing with the Rashtriya Achiever Award. This award is not just a personal achievement but a responsibility to continue my 'sadhana' and guide the next generation of dancers with devotion.
Receiving a certificate of appreciation at Shaheed Rajguru College for judging their annual fest. Being recognized for my role as an adjudicator is always a great honor.

Awards and Recognition for Kathak Artistry

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Garvita SharmaJudges competitions across India; Based in Delhi & Mumbai
A screenshot of the headline from The Hindu, reviewing my performance at The Music Academy. I am humbled by the critic's kind words about my sensitivity to emotion and confident energy on stage.7
An excerpt from the review in The Hindu, detailing my 'netra abhinaya' or eye expressions. The critic highlights how my involvement in the performance turned a clinical varnam into a sensitive story.
This part of the review notes my scholarship, evident in the neatness of my adavus and the 'azhutham' or groundedness in my dance. This balance of lightness and groundedness is something I focus on deeply.
Another detail from the review, describing my portrayal of Tyagaraja. Capturing the subtle movements and emotions of a story is what makes abhinaya so powerful.

Press & Accolades

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Divya HoskereClasses at Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru

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