AMALA SHANKAR (1919 – 2020)
Amala Shankar, alongside her illustrious partner Uday Shankar, was instrumental in bringing Indian dance to the global stage. In 2012, at the age of 93, she graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the screening of the restored version of Kalpana — a film written, co-produced, and directed by Uday Shankar, in which Amala played the role of Uma. With characteristic wit, she remarked, "I am the youngest film star you have seen at Cannes this year."
Born as Amala Nandy on 27 June 1919 in Batajor village, Magura District, Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh), she was raised in an environment that valued nature and rural life, thanks to her father Akhoy Kumar Nandy. Her journey into the world of dance began in 1931 when, at just 11 years old, she attended the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris. There she met Uday Shankar and his family.
Amala soon joined Uday Shankar's dance troupe, performing internationally and learning deeply from the pioneering choreographer. Their bond grew stronger, and in 1939, while staying with the troupe in Chennai, Uday Shankar proposed marriage. They were married in 1942. Their son, Ananda Shankar, a noted musician, was born later that year, followed by their daughter Mamata Shankar, a celebrated dancer and actress, in 1954.
As a dance couple, Uday and Amala Shankar became iconic. One of their most memorable performances was the depiction of Shiva and Parvati, featuring elaborate costumes and headgear inspired by the classical bronze sculptures of Nataraja. Their choreography often drew from Indian mythology and the Natya Shastra, blending tradition with innovation.
Following the closure of Uday’s Almora Centre, Amala settled in Calcutta, where she founded the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre (USICC). Dedicated to nurturing young talent from the age of five, the centre became a cornerstone of Indian dance education. Even in her nineties, Amala remained active; at the age of 92, she performed in the dance drama Sita Swayamvar, portraying King Janaka.
Beyond dance, Amala was a gifted visual artist. She painted with her fingers rather than brushes, and her first exhibition was held at Genesis Art Gallery in Kolkata in 1991. She also supported various social causes, including Stree Shakti – The Parallel Force, and contributed to cultural discourse through initiatives like A Quest for Roots which she released in 1999.
A devout follower of Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, her spirituality was an integral part of her life. Amala Shankar received numerous honors for her contributions to the arts, including the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 1991 and the Banga Bibhushan Award from the Government of West Bengal in 2011.
Her legacy lives on through her students, her family, and the countless lives she touched through her passion for Indian dance, and the countless lives she touched through her passion for Indian dance and culture.
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