Manipur exponent Darshana Jhaveri
Manipuri dance exponent Darshana Jhaveri has been selected for the prestigious Nishagandhi Puraskaram instituted by the Ministry of Tourism in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance traditions. Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas will present the honor to Ms. Jhaveri at the opening ceremony of the week-long Nishagandhi Dance Festival organized by Kerala Tourism. The event will be held at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds on February 13 at 6 pm.
The award carries a cash prize of ₹1,50,000 along with a citation and memento. Ms. Jhaveri has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Manipuri dance for nearly six decades.
Many dance forms
The festival will showcase some of India’s finest classical dancers as well as emerging talent, which promises to enthrall the audience gathering at the venue. The artists present a diverse range of Indian classical dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathak, Sattriya and Odissi.
The festival scheduled from February 13 to 20 will also include a Kathakali Mela with hundreds of Kathakali artists. Kathakali performances will be held daily at the Kanakakunnu Palace venue from 5:30 p.m. “Karna Sapadham” (February 17), “Duryodhana Vadham” (February 18), “Daksha Yagam” (February 19) and “Thorana Yudham” (February 20).
The Nishagandhi Festival also highlights emerging trends in Indian classical dance and provides a platform for upcoming artistes to showcase their talent. The inaugural ceremony will be followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by Narthaki Nataraj and a performance by Rajashree Warrier. On the opening day, a Manipuri dance recital by Latasana Devi and Group is scheduled at 8:30 p.m. Dance performances by well-known and upcoming artists will start every day at 6 p.m. Admission to the festival is free for the public.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 8:30 PM IST