Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar, 28 Apr: In a rare and spiritually resonant cultural initiative, a group of young Indian classical dancers led by Dr Usha RK, noted arts consultant and former Member Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Director Cultural Centre Embassy of India in Moscow, presented a series of dance performances in Srinagar and at the Line of Control (LOC) to commemorate the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya on 21 & 22 April, 2026.
Bringing together artists from across India—including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Dehradun—the group interpreted compositions penned by Adi Shankaracharya attributed to Deities and rivers through the classical dance traditions of Bharatanatyam and Odissi. The initiative marked a deeply symbolic homage to the revered philosopher-saint, who is believed to have travelled extensively across India and spent time in Srinagar in pursuit of spiritual learning and meditation.
The primary performance was held on the morning of 21 April at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, a landmark cultural venue in the city. The event drew an audience of approximately 200 attendees, including senior officials from the district administration, the Superintendent of Police, members of the bureaucracy, and art enthusiasts. The performance was widely appreciated for its artistic depth and devotional sincerity.
Following the auditorium presentation, the dancers undertook a pilgrimage to Shankaracharya Hill, ascending to the historic temple dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya and Lord Shiva. There, they offered excerpts of their repertoire as Nritya Seva—a devotional dance offering—to the Deity, which was warmly received by fellow devotees present at the shrine.
The event was co-hosted by the Save Sharada Committee, an organisation committed to the construction of a temple dedicated to Goddess Sharada near the Line of Control, and the Jammu & Kashmir Department of Arts, Culture, and Languages.
On 22 April, the group travelled from Srinagar to Teetwal near the Line of Control, in a journey marked by the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir’s mountainous landscape. The visit coincided with the remembrance of a tragic incident in the nearby Pahalgam region, lending a solemn and reflective dimension to the day’s proceedings.
At the Sharada Temple site near the LOC, the dancers once again presented compositions of Adi Shankaracharya, along with a moving rendition of “Vande Mataram”, celebrating the spirit of national unity and love for the country. A video of this performance, shared on Instagram, garnered over 13,000 views within a short span, reflecting its emotional resonance with audiences.
The group also visited the bridge marking the Line of Control, where they engaged in a symbolic gesture of goodwill by waving to individuals across the border. The experience was described by the dancers as deeply moving and uplifting.
The visit concluded with a felicitation by the District Commissioner of the border region, who commended the artists and encouraged future cultural engagements. Officials from the Jammu & Kashmir cultural department also expressed strong support, describing the initiative as the beginning of many such cultural events and presentations to come.
Reflecting on the two-day experience, the participants – Arundhati Patwardhan, Mithun Shyam, Namrata Mehta, Shreyasi Gopinath and Sayali Kane highlighted themes of spiritual dedication, historical significance, and a renewed sense of peace. The initiative not only marked a first-of-its-kind cultural offering in the region but also reinforced the message that Kashmir remains a place of profound beauty, heritage, and harmony.
