In a ceremonial soiree hosted by Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra on Thursday, Dr. Uma Sharma was honored with the prestigious ‘Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented by Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at Kamani Auditorium in the capital.
The award ceremony was graced by the presence of Shobha Deepak Singh, Dr. Karan Singh, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
‘Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement was instituted by SBKK in 2010 to commemorate the huge contribution made by Sumitra Charat Ram (1914 – 2011) as a harbinger of Cultural Revival in post-independent India.
On the night of August 14th, 1947 as the country waited to wake up to a Sun that rose in Free India, Sumitraji held an All Night Music Soirée with the stalwarts of Indian Music & Dance to commemorate the momentous occasion.
The award ceremony was followed by a dance presentation by Dr. Uma Sharma.
Overwhelmed by receiving the award Dr. Uma Sharma said, “I am honored to have been recognized for my efforts in the field of Kathak, which is my first love. It is my passion for this form of dance that has allowed me to take it through generations and help it evolve. Receiving Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement today reinforces my belief in myself and in a bright future for Kathak in India.”
For the last 11 years ‘Sumitra Charat Ram
The first award was presented to Pt. Birju Maharaj, the doyen of kathak Dance followed by Smt. Kishori Amonkar (Hindustani Vocal Music), Shri Mayadhar Raut (Odissi Dance), Smt. Kumudini Lakhia (Kathak Dance), Pt. Jasraj (Hindustani Vocal Music), Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia (Hindustani Instrumental Music, Flute), Smt. Girija Devi (Hindustani Classical Music, Vocal), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Hindustani Classical Music, Sarod) and lastly to Dr. Sonal Mansingh (Indian Classical Dance Guru, Motivational Speaker).