Shri Kadakampalli Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for
Co-operation, Tourism and Devaswom,
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, MP,
Shri K. Muraleedharan, MLA,
Advocate V.K. Prasanth, Mayor,
Shri V.K. Madhu, President, District Panchayat,
Shri Palayam Rajan, Councillor,
Shri P. Bala Kiran IAS, Director, Tourism,
Padma Bhushan Shri Dhananjayan,
Padma Bhushan Smt. Shantha Dhananjayan,
Shri M. Reghudasan, Additional Director, Tourism,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to inaugurate the Nishagandhi Dance Festival 2018, organized by the Department of Tourism and to present this year's Nishagandhi Puraskaram to the legendary dancing couple of India, Shri V.P. Dhananjayan and Smt. Shantha Dhananjayan, known for their stellar dance presentations the world over.
Let me at the outset, congratulate Shri V.P. Dhananjayan and Smt. Shantha Dhananjayan on being chosen for this award.
This dancing couple, who are known all over the world as the Dhananjayans, have been honored with laurels like Padma Bhushan, Kalaimamani from Government of Tamil Nadu. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Honorary doctorates and many other awards for their contribution to Bharatanatyam during the last six decades. They have been grooming and contributing to the international art arena, several performers since 1968, the year in which they established Bharata Kalaanjali in Chennai. The Nishagandhi Puraskaram that has been presented to them is a token of the love, respect and appreciation that the people of Kerala have for this extraordinary, made-for-each-other dancing couple.
I am certain that this award would be special to both of them, since it comes from their own State. I understand that Shri Dhananjayan hails from Kannur and that Smt. Shantha Dhananjayan also has roots in Kerala.
The search Committee comprising Shri K. Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, Shri Ashish Mohan Khokar and Shri V.J. Sai deserves praise for the most appropriate selection of the awardees. The Department of Tourism also deserves appreciation for instituting this award which conveys Kerala's high respect for art and artistes.
I understand that this prestigious award was received by eminent artistes like Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai, Vidushi Lalith Rao, Dr. Padma Subramanyam, Shri Ilayaraja and Smt. Bharati Shivaji.
Coming to the Nishagandhi Festival, which was initiated as a marketing tool for Tourism in Kerala, has evolved over the years to be known nation-wide as a mark of Kerala's commitment to the promotion of arts. Initiated as the Winter Cultural Festival during the eighties, it began to be known as Nishagandhi Dance Festival from 1992. That it took very little time for this Festival to be considered at par with events like Konark Dance Festival, Khajuraho Dance Festival etc., speaks volumes about the quality of the performances and the high profile participation. When it became the Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival from 2000 onwards, the presence of the music maestros added another dimension to the event and attracted many local art lovers. I am told that from 2017, it was dedicated to Dance, so as to focus on the Indian classical dance forms. This year, we are fortunate to have the presence of an array of India's best performing artistes in this Festival.
All over the world, art forms have been used to promote tourism, since dance and music are known to be significant attractions to tourists. This trend has also helped many rare and disappearing art forms to survive. Though tourism tends to package art forms in convenient shapes and durations, their inclusion in tourism promotion has been of great help to artists.
While classical art forms have gained larger acceptance among the tourists, the folk arts and artistes remain relatively ignored. I think we should also strengthen the activities to promote folk arts, so as to encourage and support the artistes who may be struggling due to lack of opportunities.
I am informed that this year's Nishagandhi Dance Festival would delight art lovers with performances by the best dancers of Mohiniyaattam, Bharathanaatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, kathak, Manipuri and Sathriya. Giving an opportunity to Classical arts of Kerala like Kathakali, Koodiyaattam and Koothu and organizing a workshop on Indian classical dances would certainly encourage young people to know these art forms better.
While complimenting the State Government for promoting art and culture by organizing such cultural feasts, I would also suggest that such programmes be taken to violence prone, volatile and sensitive areas too, since art has the capacity to ease tensions and to promote peace. Definitely, such cultural initiatives will help in preventing the isolated incidents of violence, like the one which happened yesterday in Kannur in broad daylight. This has disturbed me a lot. As we are aware, our State of Kerala, which has the best human development index, is also one of the least corrupt States, with a laudable law and order situation. In spite of such achievements, murders and clashes like the one which occurred in Kannur yesterday lower the image of the State.
The various wings of Law enforcing agencies such as Police, and Intelligence need to work a little extra with better coordination to prevent the occurrence of such incidents that disturb peace. These agencies should work in tandem with prosecution department and courts to ensure exemplary punishment for law breakers in a speedy manner.
I would also urge the political leadership in the State to sit together to persuade their cadres to choose the path of peace.
Coming back to Nishagandhi, I greet all the noted artistes who have come to perform in this Festival of Dance and wish them all the best. And, to this august audience of art lovers, I convey my appreciation for the genuine interest you have been taking in making this festival a success, year after year.
I also compliment the organizers, the Tourism Department and particularly Minister Shri Kadakampally Surendran for organizing this Festival in a manner befitting the global image of our State.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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