Awards and Recognition in Classical Dance
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.
Recognition in the arts is a profound experience for us. It serves as a gentle reminder that our work resonates beyond the stage. Receiving the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar, the highest national honor for the performing arts, was a deeply humbling milestone in our three-decade journey. It validated our efforts to keep the ancient stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata vibrant through modern, theatrical choreography.
Our approach is grounded in the Guru-Shishya parampara, a tradition that guides every decision we make, whether we are preparing for a festival performance or training a new student. We were honored to receive the Devi Award from The New Indian Express and the Shivarathri Kala Puraskar, recognizing the work we do both on stage and in fostering community harmony through dance.
When you engage with Abhinava Dance Company, you are bringing that same level of rigor, research, and devotion to your own project. Whether it is a corporate event or a specialized masterclass, these awards ensure that the artistic vision we bring to your venue is backed by years of study, scholarly input, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of Kathak and Bharatanatyam. We believe our strength lies in our collaboration with renowned musicians and scholars, ensuring that every movement is as authentic as it is expressive.
Nirupama Rajendra
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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