@ Vikas Sharma | Sr Journalist
New Delhi:Vriti Gujral a 13 year old Delhi based Kathak dancer is a Rising star of Indian Classical dance fraternity.
Vriti has recently been awarded with “Global Child Prodigy Award 2020” for her exceptional dancing talent in Indian classical dance form “Kathak”.
The Global Child Prodigy Award is a unique initiative supported by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation to provide platform to recognize child prodigies who are extraordinary talented in various fields such as dancing, music, arts, writing, acting, modeling, science, innovation, sports etc. Overall 100 child prodigies across 45 nations were selected for this prestigious award.
The award ceremony held in New Delhi on 3rd January, Friday, where these Child prodigies were felicitated by Sh. Kailash Satyarthi – Nobel peace laureate and Dr. Kiran Bedi – Hon’ble Lieutenant governor of puducherry.
Vriti Gujral made country proud by getting this International award, for Indian classical dance form “Kathak”; latter she also mesmerized the audience with her energetic yet graceful classical dance performance. “She is so captivating that you cannot take eyes off her” says DJ Switch a child prodigy from Ghana who was present during the event.
Vriti who is a disciple of kathak exponent Sh. Barun Banerjee is also getting National scholarship in Kathak from Cultural Ministry of India. She has not only won competitions throughout India but has also won heart of kathak maestros like Pt. Birju Maharaj ji, Vidhushi Saswati Sen ji, Smt. Shobha koser ji and many others with her dancing talent. At this tender age Vriti has given numerous classical dance performances in Delhi / NCR and parts of North India.
In today’s modernized era where our Indian culture is losing its richness to western dance and music such prodigies of new generation who are choosing Indian classical art form(s) are not only keeping Indian culture alive but also taking the Indian heritage forward and spreading it across the globe.
Vriti who is currently studying in class 8th of Sri Venkateshwar International School, Dwarka, works really hard to maintain balance between her studies and her passion kathak. Everyday ‘Riyaaz’ is a must says prodigy’s mother Sarika Gujral. “Vriti is very hardworking and dedicated towards her dance. The vibes of her art travels through her soul. The way she has picked nuances of this art is commendable” says her guru Barun Banerjee who is a renowned kathak artist of Lucknow Gharana and has been training vriti since the age of 6 years.
Vriti intends to carve her own niche in the field of kathak and wants to spread the beauty of Indian art and culture throughout the world. Vriti also believes in giving back to society, hence wishes to extend this art of “Kathak” to the less privilege kids for their betterment
