Five from UP win Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
The Akademi has announced 128 winners of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021
Five personalities from Uttar Pradesh have won Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the list of which was announced on Friday.
Prof Kumkum Dhar (former officiating vice-chancellor of Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow), noted theatre personality Lalit Singh Pokhriyal, Poornima Pandey (former chairperson of UP Sangeet Natak Akademi), Hindustani vocalist Chittaranjan Jyotishi and playwright Sushil Kumar Singh were declared winners from the state for their contribution to the fields of dance and theatre.
Prof Dhar is the senior-most disciple of legendary Kathak maestro guru Lachhu Maharaj. She is a sangeet visharad and holds a Doctorate in Economics. She was the dean of the faculty of dance at Bhatkhande Music University, and has over four decades of long and dedicated experience as a classical dance performer, choreographer and a guru.
Pokhriyal, who has popularised theatre in schools and colleges, will be given the award for the year 2021 for theatre direction. He taught theatre to science and engineering students in workshops and has been working to promote theatre.
Pokhriyal has directed 72 plays and acted in more than 60 plays; he considers senior artist Raj Bisaria as his role model. Born on December 1, 1960 in Dokuna village of Pithoragarh, Pokhriyal did his primary education in the village. He gave the credit of the award to his parents and guru Raj Bisaria.
The Akademi has announced 128 winners of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 for their significant contribution to the fields of music, dance, theatre, traditional/folk/tribal music/dance/theatre, puppetry and contribution/scholarship in the performing arts.