Celebrated UK-based artist Arunima Kumar made history on Thursday by becoming the first Kuchipudi dancer to receive King Charles III’s Honorary British Empire Medal (BEM) for her exceptional contributions to Indian classical dance and community engagement. The Honorary BEM, a royal accolade given for “hands-on” service to the local community, acknowledges Kumar’s relentless efforts in promoting Indian classical dance globally, specifically Kuchipudi, while fostering cross-cultural understanding through the arts.
Kumar is a prominent cultural leader and ambassador, recognized for performances at prestigious venues including Buckingham Palace and during Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations, as well as the Diwali festivities at 10 Downing Street in London. “It’s an incredible honour to receive the King’s honour, and I’m grateful for this international recognition and to all those who believe in my work,” Kumar expressed, emphasizing that this accolade is not just a personal achievement but a celebration of Indian classical dance on a global stage. She described Kuchipudi as her lifelong companion, serving as a medium of storytelling, healing, and unity.
Her institution, the Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), has been pivotal in making Kuchipudi accessible and relevant worldwide, with over 3,000 performances across more than 50 countries and the training of hundreds of students aged four to 75 in the UK, India, and Poland. “Through AKDC, I’ve built an organization that can transform lives through Indian dance, transcend barriers, and create inclusive spaces for dialogue,” Kumar stated.
Kumar expressed her deep gratitude to her parents, educators, husband, and young daughter Aishwarya, acknowledging their support in her artistic journey and the legacy she is building. With a training background under esteemed gurus Padma Bhushan Smt Swapnasundari and Padma Shri Guru Jayarama Rao, Kumar is recognized as a distinguished exponent of Kuchipudi, dedicated to showcasing the dance form with authenticity, grace, and innovation across the globe.
The Honorary BEM, part of the UK’s 2025 royal honours for foreign nationals, adds to Kumar’s impressive list of accolades, which includes the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar, the Global Icon Award, and the NRI Institute Award for Arts given at the UK Houses of Parliament. Beyond her performances, AKDC has initiated several groundbreaking projects that utilize dance as a tool for empowerment, healing, and inclusion in various settings, including schools, care homes, hospitals, prisons like Delhi’s Tihar Jail, and recently for Parkinson’s UK.
Currently, Kumar is focused on her latest initiative, ‘Samarpanam – A Dance Offering,’ presented by AKDC in collaboration with the British Council India. This cultural exchange will feature young British and Polish students at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on October 24. In addition to Kumar, King Charles also conferred an Honorary Knighthood this week upon John Kerry, the former US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, recognizing his contributions to combating climate change.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/indian-origin-dancer-arunima-kumar-uk-award-10311702/
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Publish Date: 2025-10-17 07:19:00
