By OUR STAFF REPORTER
NEW DELHI, 30 Aug: Kathak dancer Arushi Nishank was presented the Bharat Gaurav Puraskar by the Bharat Gaurav Award Foundation at a grand event held here for her ‘exemplary contribution to Indian Art & Culture’. The event was attended by Rattan Lal Kataria, MOS, Jal Shakti, Margani Bharat, MP, Lok Sabha, Satya Narayan Jatiya, MP, Lok Sabha, Sangram Singh, wrestler, actor, motivational speaker and philanthropist. Arushi has been honoured by the foundation for her ‘tremendous efforts in promoting Indian art and culture across the globe’. Arushi is an acclaimed dancer, film producer, poet, entrepreneur, environmentalist, and social activist. She is a disciple of Padma Vibhushan awardee Birju Maharaj. Besides her contribution to Indian art & culture, Arushi is an enthusiastic environmentalist who wants to spread awareness in people regarding the conservation of nature, especially rivers. Through immensely engaging cultural programmes like Kathak dance shows, she is emphatically highlighting the deteriorating conditions of various rivers in India, including the Ganga. In the last few years, Arushi has given many Kathak performances in India, UK, Canada, Germany, Austria, and the UAE. Inspired by her efforts to save the Ganga, thousands of people across the world are now associated with the Namami Gange programme. She has also composed and choreographed many compositions like “Ganga Avataran”, the story of Goddess Ganga coming to earth, and “Sajda”, a Sufiyana classical Kathak Dance. Arushi has also worked as a teacher with Spic Macay to mentor young and aspiring Kathak dancers in India. She has also done many performances under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. While receiving the Bharat Gaurav Puraskar, Arushi Nishank said, “India is the world’s capital of art & culture where dance and music is not only a source of entertainment but vital constituents of festivals and rituals. We are fortunate to have this glorious legacy, and it is our responsibility to share it with the entire world. Still, I have to do a lot, and such recognitions motivate me to continue my endeavour to promote India’s incredible culture.”
