London, Oct 16 (PTI) Celebrated UK-based artist Arunima Kumar made history on Thursday by becoming the first Kuchipudi dancer to be awarded King Charles III’s Honorary British Empire Medal (BEM), in recognition of her outstanding services to Indian classical dance and the community. The Honorary BEM, a distinguished royal accolade for "hands-on" contributions to the local community, acknowledges Kumar’s relentless dedication to promoting Indian classical dance, specifically Kuchipudi, on global platforms and fostering cross-cultural understanding through the arts.
The esteemed cultural leader, influencer, and ambassador has numerous pioneering achievements, including performing at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations, and Diwali events at 10 Downing Street in London. “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this royal acknowledgment, and I’m deeply thankful for this international recognition, as well as to everyone who believes in my work,” Kumar expressed.
“For me, this recognition is not only personal but a celebration of Indian classical dance on the global stage. Kuchipudi has been my lifelong muse, a medium for storytelling, healing, and fostering unity,” she added.
Her institution, the Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), is renowned for making Kuchipudi accessible and relevant worldwide, delivering over 3,000 performances in more than 50 countries, and training hundreds of students across the UK, India, and Poland, ranging in age from four to 75. “Through AKDC, I’ve established an organization that can transform lives through Indian dance, transcend barriers, bring joy to communities, and create impactful spaces for dialogue and inclusion,” Kumar noted.
She expressed gratitude to her parents, gurus, husband, and young daughter Aishwarya for supporting her artistic journey, emphasizing the ongoing nature of her work: “Many more miles to go but today I’m eternally grateful.”
Under the tutelage of eminent gurus Padma Bhushan Smt Swapnasundari and Padma Shri Guru Jayarama Rao, Kumar has established herself as one of the most distinguished and passionate exponents of Kuchipudi, committed to representing the dance form with “authenticity, grace, and innovation” globally.
The Honorary BEM, announced as part of the 2025 royal honors for foreign nationals by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) this week, adds to a series of awards for the cherished dancer, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskaar, Global Icon Award, and the NRI Institute Award for Arts at the Houses of Parliament in the UK.
Beyond the stage, AKDC has initiated several groundbreaking projects using dance as a vehicle for empowerment, healing, and inclusion, reaching schools, universities, care homes, hospitals, prisons including Delhi’s Tihar Jail, and recently for Parkinson’s UK.
Kumar is now deeply engaged in her next pioneering initiative, ‘Samarpanam – A Dance Offering,’ presented by AKDC in collaboration with the British Council India. This landmark cultural exchange features young British and Polish students and will take place at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on October 24.
Among other honors conferred by King Charles this week is an Honorary Knighthood for John Kerry, former US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, for his significant contributions to tackling climate change.
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