CELEBRATED UK-based artist Arunima Kumar on Thursday became the first Kuchipudi dancer to be conferred King Charles III’s Honorary BritishEmpireMedal (BEM), for services toIndian classical dance and community. TheHonoraryBEM,a royalhonourawarded for “hands-on” service to the local community, comes in recognition of Kumar’s tireless efforts in taking Indian classical dance,particularlyKuchipudi, toglobalplatforms and fostering cross-cultural understanding through the arts.

 

The renowned cultural leader, influencer and ambassador hasmany firsts to hercredit, including performances at Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrationsandDiwali festivitiesat10Downing Street in London. “It’s an incredible honour to receive the King’shonour and I’m grateful for thisinternational recognition and to all those who believe in my work,” said Kumar. “For me, this recognition is not just personal but a celebration of Indian classical danceon theworldstage.Kuchipudihasbeen my lifelong companion, a medium of storytelling, healing, and unity,” she said. Her institution, Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), is credited with making Kuchipudi accessible and relevant across the world with over 3,000 performances in more than 50 countries, training hundreds of students across theUK,India andPoland, aged four to 75.

 

“Through AKDC, I’ve built an organisation that can transform lives throughIndian dance and transcend barriers, bring joy to communities, and create powerful spaces for dialogue and inclusion,” said Kumar. “I’m grateful to my parents, gurus, my husband andmy youngdaughterAishwarya 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. Having trained under eminent gurus Padma Bhushan Smt Swapnasundari and Padma Shri Guru Jayarama Rao, Kumar has made a mark as one of the most distinguished and passionate exponents of Kuchipudi, determined to represent the dance form with “authenticity, grace, and innovation” around the world.