Bhubaneswar: Noted Kuchipudi Danseuse and JSPL Foundation chairperson Shallu Jindal has been honoured with prestigious Urbashee Award for her contribution to Indian dance and music, here on Sunday. The award was conferred on her by the Prafulla Kar Foundation and Sanskar on the occasion of the Music Festival ‘Kamala Desha Rajakumara’ organized to mark the 81st Birthday of eminent musician Prafulla Kar.
Padma Vibhusan Dr. Sitakant Mahapatra, Padmashri Prafulla Kar, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra (MP, Rajya Sabha), Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patsaani (Former MP), Ananta Narayab Jena (MLA), Dash Benhur (President, Prafulla Kar Foundation) and other dignitaries were present.
Receiving the award Jindal expressed her deep gratitude to Prafulla Kar Foundation and people of Odisha for the honour. “Dance and art are my soul. I make all effort to promote rich culture of Indian dance and music, wherever possible. Receiving the award from legends and Padma Awardee winners is proud moment for me,” she said. “Odisha is the land where every stone has a tale to tell and every sound of music has divinity imbibed with it. I aspire to contribute more to the art, culture and quality of life of the People of Odisha,” she further added.
Jindal was drawn to the dance from her early days and was initiated into Kuchipudi by her Gurus, Padma Bhushan RajaRadha and Kaushalya Reddy. She is taking steps to popularize Kuchipudi in other parts of India. Her grace, beauty and riveting performances nationally & internationally over the years have held audiences spellbound. She has opened the Jindal Art Institute in New Delhi with the aim of spreading far and wide the rich artistic heritage of India and the world with the masses.
Besides, Shallu Jindal leads JSPL Foundation’s inclusive health, education and other quality of life programme that has reached more than two million families across four state of India. She has also authored a book for children titled ‘India: an Alphabet Ride’.
