After two brilliant evenings, we’re delighted to announce the winners of the first Sangeet Ratna and Nritya Ratna, Young Musician and Dancer of the Year Awards.
On Tuesday 30th July 2013, Hindustani vocalist, Angira Kotal, was announced as the winner of the first Young Musician of the Year Award for Indian music at The Capstone Theatre in Liverpool as part of Indika.
Angira Kotal was introduced into Hindustani vocal music by her mother at a very early age and is now training under Ustad Jainul Abedin since 2011. Angira plans to use the prize money she was awarded to fund tabla accompaniment for herself during practice sessions, which she believes will greatly help her development. Angira was accompanied on-stage by Shahbaz Hussain on the tabla and Rekesh Chauhan on the Harmonium.
(From left) Angira Kotal with the judges; Rakesh Chaurasia, Pandit Ranajit Sengupta and Lalgudi GJR Kirshnan.
The following day saw Bharatanatyam dancer, Apoorva Jayaraman, win the Nritya Ratna Award.
(From left) Sujata Mohapatra, Apoorva Jayaraman, Padmabushan Kumudini Lakhia, Ragini Madan, Padmashri Leela Samson and Prashant Shah.
Apoorva began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five and has had the priviledge of learning under Priyadardini Govind for over ten years now. She has also undergone several years of training in abhinaya (the art of facial expression) under the tutelage of Padmabushan Kalanidi Narayan. Apoorva gave her first solo performance at the age of eight and has since come a long way as a dancer and performer, working under various banners in India, UK and Europe.
For Nritya Ratna, Apoorva performed two choreographies by her Guru, Priyadarsini Govind. She now plans to use the prize money to engage in full-time advanced training in India during the next couple of years, helping her on her journey to becoming a professional dance artiste.
(From left) Nritya Ratna runner up Ragini Madan with winner Apoorva Jayaraman.