NEW DELHI: Renowned dancer and choreographer Shashidharan Nair has been conferred with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2024 in the Creative and Experimental Dance category. The award was presented by the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at a solemn ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The honor recognizes his over six decades of pioneering contributions to Indian dance, choreography, and cultural expression.
Trained extensively in Kathakali, Mayurbhanj Chhau, the creative dance tradition of Uday Shankar, and Kalaripayattu, Shashidharan Nair has been closely associated with the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra for over four decades. Over his illustrious career, he has choreographed and directed several iconic productions, including the celebrated mega-production ‘Sampurna Ramlila’, presented annually during the Dussehra festival.
Accepting the award, Shashidharan Nair described his six-decade journey in dance as an ongoing path of learning and exploration. He expressed gratitude for the privilege of learning under India’s master gurus and premier institutions, affirming his commitment to contributing to Indian dance and inspiring future generations of artists.
Having served on expert committees under the Ministry of Culture as well as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shashidharan Nair continues to play a vital role in preserving and evolving India’s diverse dance traditions through his choreography and teaching.
