Week-long Nishagandhi Dance Fest begins on high note
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM [Maha Media]: The week-long Nishagandhi Dance Festival, one of India’s top-notch classical dance carnivals organised by Kerala Tourism, began on a high note at the verdant Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds here on Friday evening. Kerala Health, Women & Child Development Minister Veena George, who inaugurated the festival, presented the prestigious Nishagandhi Puraskaram to leading Kathak exponent Pandit Rajendra Gangani on the occasion, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian classical dance at a ceremony. The honour carries a prize money of Rs 1,50,000, citation and memento.
A Kathakali Mela featuring hundreds of Kathakali artists also got under way along with the seven-day festival. Kathakali performances will be held at the venue inside Kanakakunnu Palace every day from 5:30 pm. In her inaugural address, Veena George said the Nishagandhi Dance Festival is an event that celebrates diversity. “Kerala Tourism deserves credit for providing a platform for where diversity of Indian arts and culture is celebrated,” she said.
“The state’s tourism sector rose like a phoenix after the downturn inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic world over, thanks to the tireless efforts of the state Tourism Department and its innovative initiatives,” she said.
“By promoting art, we’re promoting the goodness of society, and this is a time when conscious intervention through art is needed to make society sensitive to diverse issues confronting humanity,” she said.
“The Kathakali Mela organised along with the dance festival is also a creditable effort to promote Kerala’s traditional art form,” she added. AA Rahim MP presided over the inaugural ceremony. District Panchayat President Suresh Kumar was also present.
