US-based dancer Anindita Neogy Anaam was conferred with National Nritya Shiromani Award for her preservation and promotion of Kathak in India and at global level in a week-long 10th International Dance and Music Festival here.
The award of national repute has been given in the past to the outstanding Indian classical dance performers and musicians of India and abroad.
Anindita presented her solo Kathak recital in Sarla Bhawan Art center on January 2, organized by the Utkal Yuva Sangsthan, a premier art organization devoted to the cause of Indian art.
Known for merging contemporary with traditional, Anindita started her recital on the famous Rajasthani Maand, ‘Padharo Maare Des’ (Welcome to My Land) in Jaipur style of Kathak. This Maand reflects the popular folk of Thar desert and inspired by the love story of Dhola and Maru. So, it also had a touch of Shringar Ras or romantic love. Her presentation skillfully depicted the grandeur of Rajasthan and the delicate movements of Kathak to capture the romantic essence.
She used folk infused pirouettes, which is a specialty of Jaipur style of Kathak mesmerising the audience with her seamless dancing.
Second presentation of the evening was a Kathak fusion on the famous composition Rhythm Scape by tabla virtuoso Bickram Ghosh. The presentation was very well received by the audience. The music is a confluence of east and west. Similarly, Anindita used more technically-diversified body gestures with hints of ballet and flamenco dancing styles into mainstream Kathak to give a twist.