Dhwani unveils annual award to celebrate classical arts excellence
The evening’s programme on 18 November opened up with the inauguration of a photo exhibition tracing the life and artistic journey of Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, while also highlighting the evolution of Kathak in the decades following Independence. “We wanted future generations to know how it all started, who the key people were, and how the students of Shambhu Maharaj took Kathak across India and abroad and propagated this dance form,” says Kathak exponent Vaswati Misra, President of Dhwani and daughter-in-law of Shambhu Maharaj, married to his eldest son, Krishan Mohan Misra. The exhibition brings together an array of photographs depicting Shambhu Maharaj, his family, his disciples, moments from his performances, and the recognitions he received in the early years of his career. It offers a visual narrative not only of the maestro’s artistic brilliance but also of the lineage that shaped modern Kathak.
The cultural richness of the evening will continue with a series of performances. Among them is a Kathak duet by Ipshita Misra, granddaughter of Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, who will perform alongside Daniel Freddy.
The event will conclude with a sitar recital by Padma Shri Ustad Shahid Parvez, accompanied by Ustad Akram Khan on the tabla, offering the audience a fitting finale that blends rhythmic mastery with melodic depth. Reflecting on the current cultural landscape, Misra acknowledges the abundance of talent but stresses the need for deeper commitment. “Young generations have to understand the depth of this form. Kathak has the potential to transform you, to make you a better human being, to give you a vision of life,” she says. Founded in 1984, Dhwani is a registered non-profit organisation recognised by the Government of India and empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of Culture. Under the leadership of Vaswati Misra, Dhwani has performed widely across India and internationally - including in Japan, the United States, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Canadapresenting thematic productions that blend traditional sensibilities with contemporary vision.
A significant highlight of the evening will be the formal announcement of the Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar, an annual award instituted to honour excellence in music and dance. For its inaugural edition, the selection committee has named Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, for his great contribution to Hindustani instrumental music and Guru Dr Maya Rao (posthumously) as the first awardees. “Their contributions are immense and unparalleled,” Misra notes, adding that the committee reached the decision unanimously. She emphasises that the award criteria will remain flexible, allowing future editions to also recognise emerging talents who show exceptional promise and merit encouragement.
Guest of honour Shri Prashant Tewari from The Pioneer newspaper facilitated the eminent award recipients and handed over the award and shawls to the two distinguished awardees.
The institution of the Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar marks an important milestone in Dhwani’s journey, reaffirming its commitment to preserving India’s classical traditions and creating platforms that honour artistic excellence. Smriti 2025 stands both as a tribute to Pandit Shambhu Maharaj’s enduring influence and as a continuation of the legacy that Misra and Dhwani tirelessly strive to uphold.
