Three University of Hyderabad Dance Department Alumni and Scholars Honoured with Prestigious National Yuva Puraskar

The Department of Dance, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), is celebrating a historic milestone as three of its distinguished scholars and alumni have been conferred with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024–2025 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is recognized as one of India’s premier national honors, awarded to exceptional young practitioners, performers, and researchers who demonstrate outstanding talent and scholarly commitment in the field of performing arts.

The three recipients representing the University of Hyderabad are:

• Ajay Srinivas Chakravarthy – A Master of Performing Arts (MPA) graduate and a current Research Scholar at the Department of Dance.
• Satwika Penna – A prominent classical dancer and a current Research Scholar at the Department of Dance.
• Akash Mallick – An accomplished performing artist from the MPA graduating batch of 2013.

This sweeping national recognition highlights the unique ecosystem of UoH’s Department of Dance, which seamlessly bridges rigorous academic research with high-caliber artistic performance.

Expressing immense pride on behalf of the institution, Prof. J Anuradha, in-charge Vice Chancellor and a faculty in the Department of Dance said, “The accomplishments of Ajay, Satwika, and Akash are a direct testament to their deep dedication, artistic brilliance, and scholarly commitment. By securing India’s highest youth honour in the performing arts, they have brought immense distinction to our department and to the University of Hyderabad on the national stage. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and wish them continued success as they shape the future of Indian classical dance.”

The University of Hyderabad, an Institution of Eminence (IoE), continues to solidify its reputation as a leading hub for both scientific innovation and the preservation and evolution of India’s cultural heritage. This triple win underscores the university’s ongoing mission to nurture the next generation of cultural leaders, performers, and thinkers.