Mangaluru: Natyalaya Dance Academy founder and Bharatnatyam dance teacher Vidushi Kamala Bhat was conferred with a Vocational Service Excellence Award in a ceremony organised by the Rotary Club at The Ocean Pearl Hotel, Mangaluru on September 11.
Addressing the gathering, Rotary Club Mangaluru Chairman Dr Ranjan said, “Kamala Bhat has been conferred with the award for her outstanding contributions to the art of Bharatnatyam while also keeping in mind that Teacher’s day was recently celebrated as well.”
Expressing her gratitude to the awardee, Pratibha Rao said that Kamala Bhat had shown a path to over 400 students in the art of Bharatnatyam over the last four decades. “She (Bhat) has played a pivotal role in saving this traditional culture that has been under attack by Western traditions,” Rao added.
Accepting the award, Kamala Bhat said, “The future of Bharatnatyam is bright as there is encouragement and support for such classical dance forms today.”
Rotary Club Secretary Prashant Rao delivered the vote of thanks.
Rotary Club Assistant Governor Sumith Rao, Vidya Rao, Mangala Rai, Asha Hegde and others were present at the award ceremony.
