BHUBANESWAR: Noted Kuchipudi Danseuse and Chairperson of JSPL Foundation, Smt. Shallu Jindal has been honoured with the prestigious Urvashee Award for her contribution to Indian dance and music. JSPL Foundation is a CSR wing of Jindal Steel & Power Limited.
She received the award on 16th February 2020 at Bhubaneswar during the Music Festival ‘Kamala Desha Rajakumara‘ organised by Prafulla Kar Foundation and Sanskar on the occasion of the 81st Birthday of eminent musician Shri Prafulla Kar.
Padma Vibhushan 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 during the award.
Receiving the award Smt. Jindal expressed her deep gratitude to Prafulla Kar Foundation and the 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 Award winners is a 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.
Smt. Jindal was drawn to the dance from her early days and was initiated into Kuchipudi by her Gurus, Padma Bhushan Raja Radha 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 to the masses.
Besides, Smt. Shallu Jindal is a noted Social Contributor and the Chairperson of JSPL Foundation. She is the former Chairperson of National Bal Bhawan under the Ministry of HRD, GOI and the Founder President of Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO). She leads JSPL Foundation’s inclusive health, education and other quality of life programme that has reached more than two million families across four states of India. She has also authored a book for children titled ‘India: an Alphabet Ride’.
Smt. Jindal is the Vice President of Flag Foundation of India, which is pioneering in promoting patriotism and reinforcing pride in our National Flag, the Tiranga.
She has been honoured for her outstanding achievements in the field of Indian classical dance (Kuchipudi) and contributions in the field of art and culture, education and community development.
