Bengaluru: The Abhaya Bravery Award Ceremony served as more than just a platform for recognising acts of courage and social welfare. The event also celebrated Indian art and culture by providing a stage for talented artists across different age groups and disciplines to showcase their skills.

The programme reflected a unique blend of social empowerment and cultural promotion, reinforcing the idea that recognising bravery can go hand in hand with encouraging artistic expression.

Cultural performances enrich the ceremony

A key highlight of the ceremony was the series of cultural performances presented by accomplished and emerging artists. These performances added depth and vibrancy to the event, drawing attention to India’s rich artistic traditions.

The organisers emphasised that such platforms are essential for nurturing talent and preserving classical and contemporary art forms.

Nandita Bhattacharya showcases Odissi excellence

Among the featured performers was Nandita Bhattacharya, a trained classical dancer with a strong background in Indian dance traditions. She began her journey in Shillong as part of the dance ensemble “Noopur,” where she performed in several stage shows and Doordarshan programmes, as well as on Northeastern Television.

She later pursued Odissi dance in 2002 at Nrityagram under the guidance of Guru Surupa Sen and Guru Bijayani Sathpathy. Currently, she continues her training under Karnataka Kalashree Guru Sharmila Mukherjee at the Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance and is a member of the senior Sanjali Dance Ensemble.

Nandita has performed in notable productions such as Hansika, Sookshma, and Notir Puja, and has participated in major festivals including the Bangalore and Mysore Odissi Utsav, along with performances on Bangalore Doordarshan. Her presentation at the event highlighted the grace and depth of Odissi dance.

Young talents shine on stage

The ceremony also encouraged young performers, giving them an opportunity to present their talents before a wider audience.

Titas Dey, a 14-year-old violinist studying in Grade 9, performed Western classical music. With two years of training, she impressed the audience with her confidence and musical ability, reflecting the importance of nurturing young artists.

Divyashree, a 10-year-old achiever, also stood out for her remarkable accomplishments at a young age. She has represented India at an international platform in Georgia (Black Sea region), becoming the first Indian child to win titles such as “International Top Model,” “Best Indian National Costume,” and “Special Jury Award” among participants from over 12 countries.

She has received more than 54 awards at national, state, and international levels, and has been featured in over 25 advertisement shoots, album projects, and brand campaigns. Divyashree is also associated as a brand ambassador at both national and international levels and has appeared on multiple magazine covers. In addition to modelling, she has performed Odissi dance on national and international platforms.

Bharatanatyam exponent Reshma Vaishnavi’s journey

Kumari Reshma Vaishnavi R, a dedicated Bharatanatyam artist, also contributed to the cultural segment of the programme. She began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five under the guidance of Smt. Brinda Sofi and later trained under several eminent gurus, including Smt. Deepa, Sri Guru Raja Shastri, Smt. Shanta Srikanth, and currently under Smt. Savithri Vijaykumar.

Having successfully completed her Arangetram, she holds Aadya and Madhya certifications with distinction from Bangiya Sangeet Parishad. Apart from performing, she is actively involved in teaching Bharatanatyam at Templebells Playschool and Durga Petals Apartments, mentoring young students and encouraging them to pursue classical dance.

Her students have showcased their talents at various events, and she has also served as a judge for competitions, including an inter-house dance event at CMRPU ITPL.

Over the years, she has performed at numerous prestigious platforms such as Shivratri, Onam, and Sri Rama Navami celebrations, Limca Awards 2021, Bhadradri Samskruthika Varathi, Svaranjali Annual Celebrations, inter-school competitions, and temple events.

In addition to dance, she has training in Carnatic vocal music, which enhances her understanding of rhythm and expression in Bharatanatyam.

Conclusion

The Abhaya Bravery Award Ceremony successfully blended recognition of courage with the celebration of artistic talent. By offering a platform for both established and emerging artists, the event reinforced the importance of cultural preservation alongside social empowerment.