Shanto-Mariam Foundation honours Amala Shankar

Along with Amala Shankar (front row-3rd right), 10 veteran Bangladeshi dance artistes were honoured by Shanto-Mariam Foundation. Photo: Mumit M

In 1929, Amala was born in a remote village of Narail district (part of the then Greater Jessore). A trader by profession, her father Akshay Kumar Nandi was an enlightened man involved in journalism and politics and a strong supporter of women's rights. At the age of 11, Amala was sent to Paris to participate in a cultural programme. There she met the iconic Indian dancer Uday Shankar and his family. A talented young girl, Amala received tutelage in dance from the maestro. In course of time she herself became an internationally renowned dance artiste and guru. She got married to Pandit Uday Shankar in 1942, thus adapting the last name Shankar.
Amala Shankar is currently visiting Bangladesh. The artiste was honoured by leading dance organisations of the country at an event organised by the Shanto-Mariam Foundation. The programme also marked the inauguration of Honours and Masters degrees on dance at the Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology. This will be the first Honours and Masters degrees on dance in our country.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister G.M. Kader was present at the event as chief guest. Professor Nazrul Islam, chairman, Bangladesh University Grants Commission; Sharful Alam, secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Mukta D' Tomar, deputy high commissioner, Indian High Commission, Dhaka, were present as special guests.
Eminent dances Laila Hasan (representing Nataraj), Shamim Ara Nipa (Nrityanchal), Sharmila Bandopadhyay (Chhayanat), Tamanna Rahman (Nrityam), Anisul Islam Hiru (Srishti Cultural Centre), Likhon Roy (Benuka Lalitokala Kendra), Saju Ahmed (Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha), Belayet Hossain Khan (Jago Art Centre), Padatik Natya Sangsad, Sukanya, Nritya Nandan and Shanto Mariam Foundation felicitated the veteran artiste at the event.
On behalf of the foundation, 10 veteran dance artistes of the country were also awarded at the event. Anjana Roy Joba, Amanul Haque, Kamal Lohani, Golam Mustofa Khan, Babu Barendra Kumar Nath, Oja Kanu Sinha, Bazlur Rahman Badal, Laila Hasan, Dolly Iqbal and Rahiza Khanam Jhunu were among the award recipients.
Overwhelmed by the cordial reception, 'Padmabibhushan’ Amala Shankar expressed her gratitude, saying, "I've received many awards and felicitation around the world, but this is a heartening experience to receive so much love from the people of my country of origin. I feel like that little girl from a small village who is just taken aback to receive such an honour.
"I've just been sincere to my art, and practiced it with passion. The art of dancing is not just for mere entertainment; it is the language of the life itself. If you are to express yourself with this language, you have to understand it, and feel it within your heart.”