DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
New Delhi, Oct 24
After more than six decades, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), hosted a landmark six-day -Dance Conference from October 16 to 21, 2024. The previous conference of this scale was held in 1958, marking this event as a significant milestone in the global promotion and preservation of Indian classical dance.
Artists and scholars from around the world convened to share their journeys, discuss the pressing issues facing performing artists, and explore the future of classical dance. Dr. Priya Dutta, an acclaimed Kathak dancer and Head of the Department of Music and Dance at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, University of Jammu, proudly represented Jammu and Kashmir. She was the first Indian classical dancer from the region to participate in this prestigious event.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Dutta said, “I consider myself fortunate to represent Jammu and Kashmir at this historic conference. It’s a proud moment for me as an artist. I am deeply grateful to the Sangeet Natak Akademi for organizing such an incredible platform, where dancers from across the globe could come together, share their experiences, and address the challenges artists face today. The issues raised were attentively acknowledged by none other than the Chairperson, Dr. Sandhya Purecha, and Secretary, Shri Raju Das.”
Key discussions during the conference revolved around crucial topics such as artists’ rights, policy developments, and the future of dance education. A particularly noteworthy session focused on integrating dance into school curricula, an issue Dr. Dutta has passionately championed. “I have always advocated for dance to be included as a major subject from primary to the 10th grade, and this conference has reignited my determination to push this agenda forward,” she added.
With a renewed focus, Dr. Dutta now plans to work closely with local and higher authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to introduce dance as a subject in schools, create new opportunities for Kathak, and ensure that basic dance education becomes accessible to all.
In conclusion, Dr. Priya Dutta expressed her gratitude to Dr. Sandhya Purecha for her visionary leadership.
which made the conference a resounding success. She also expressed optimism that future generations, from Gen Z to Gen Alpha, would benefit from the invaluable insights shared at this historic event.
