Context: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Renowned Odissi exponent Shubhada Varadkar received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the President of India for her contribution to Odissi, one of India’s classical dance traditions.
Sangeet Natak Akademi
The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.
It was established by a Government of India resolution in 1952.
It was inaugurated in 1953.
It is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture.
Mandate
The Akademi works for the preservation, promotion and development of India’s performing arts.
Its mandate covers:
- Music
- Dance
- Drama
- Classical performing arts
- Folk performing arts
- Tribal performing arts
- Other traditional performing arts
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, also called Akademi Puraskar, was instituted in 1952.
It is regarded as the highest national recognition given to practising artists, gurus and scholars in the performing arts.
Fields Covered
The award is given for distinguished contribution in:
- Music
- Dance
- Theatre
- Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music
- Dance-Theatre
- Puppetry
- Overall Contribution/Scholarship
Number of Awards
Under the current framework, up to 46 Akademi Awards may be given annually across these fields.
Selection and Conferment
Awardees are selected by the General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
The awards are conferred by the President of India.
Award Components
The award carries:
- Cash prize of ₹1 lakh
- Tamrapatra
- Angavastram
Significance
The recognition of Shubhada Varadkar highlights the importance of preserving and promoting Indian classical dance traditions.
Odissi is one of India’s important classical dance forms.
Awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award help recognise artists who have contributed to the continuity, teaching, performance and evolution of traditional arts.
Key Takeaway
The award to Shubhada Varadkar is important from the perspective of Indian classical dance, cultural preservation and national recognition of performing artists.
