Home / Arts and Entertainment / UK Dancer Honored by King Charles III Brings Kuchipudi to India
UK Dancer Honored by King Charles III Brings Kuchipudi to India
3 Nov
Summary
- Arunima Kumar, a UK-based Kuchipudi dancer, recently performed in India
- She was honored with the British Empire Medal by King Charles III
- Her dance company presented a curated evening showcasing traditional Kuchipudi pieces
In a homecoming of sorts, acclaimed UK-based Kuchipudi dancer Arunima Kumar recently performed in India, where she had previously trained. Honored with the British Empire Medal by King Charles III, Arunima and her Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC) presented "Samarpanam: A Dance Offering" at the India Habitat Centre, in association with the British Council.
The evening opened with a piece dedicated to the sun, followed by a Lakshmi Stuti. AKDC then showcased traditional Kuchipudi pieces, including the Thillana. A standout segment intertwined Shakespeare's Sonnet 65, read by Sunit Tandon and musically interpreted by Arina Sharma. The event concluded with a performance weaving together stories from Indian mythology.
"For these students, dance serves as a cultural bridge between India and the UK," said Arunima Kumar. "Indian dance has music, rhythm, storytelling, and mythology -- everything that connects them to India." The British High Commissioner and the Country Director of the British Council India praised the event as a vibrant example of the UK-India cultural partnership.
