‘Kuchipudi, my lifelong companion’: UK-based Arunima Kumar conferred King Charles’ medal; hails ‘celebration of Indian classical dance’
Renowned UK-based artist Arunima Kumar was conferred the King Charles III’s Honorary British Empire Medal (BEM) on Thursday, making her the first Kuchipudi dancer to receive the honour.The recognition comes for her “tireless efforts” in taking Indian classical dance to global platforms and fostering cross-cultural understanding through the arts.“It’s an incredible honour and I’m grateful for this international recognition and to all those who believe in my work. For me, this recognition is not just personal but a celebration of Indian classical dance on the world stage. Kuchipudi has been my lifelong companion, a medium of storytelling, healing, and unity,” Kumar told PTI.“I’m grateful to my parents, gurus, my husband and my young daughter Aishwarya for enabling me as an artist and to all those who have supported me in building this legacy brick by brick. Many more miles to go but today I’m eternally grateful,” she added. The Honorary BEM was announced as part of the 2025 royal honours for foreign nationals by the UK government. Kumar’s win adds to her previous awards, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar, Global Icon Award, and the NRI Institute Award for Arts at the Houses of Parliament, UK.Who is Arunima Kumar?
- Born in Delhi on July 1, 1978, Kumar trained under legendary dancers such as Padma Bhushan-awardee Swapna Sundari and Padma Shri-awardee Jayarama Rao.
- She has performed at prestigious venues like Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations, and Diwali festivities at 10 Downing Street.
- Founder of Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), which has staged over 3,000 performances in more than 50 countries and trained students from ages 4 to 75 across the UK, India, and Poland.
- AKDC has pioneered initiatives using dance as a tool for empowerment, healing, and inclusion, performing in schools, universities, care homes, hospitals, prisons including Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
- Her next initiative, “Samarpanam – A Dance Offering”, will feature young British and Polish students in a cultural exchange at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on October 24, in collaboration with the British Council India.
