The venue was Bali and the platform international. It was a conclave where ace artists and contestants from around the world had galvanised for pushing new frontiers in the genre of dance and art. After all, dance and music still happen to be languages where we do not need any interpreters.

So Udaipur spoke. Through its mesmerizing footwork with Kathak Ghungroos.

And it did ascend the first spot after all those riveting conversations. Continuing a streak of excellence and contest-trophies in the last two years at various stellar competitions and platforms; artists and students from the Kala Ashram College of Performing Arts, Udaipur etched their superlative mark again – this time at Bali.

With compositions choreographed under the consummate hands of Director, Dr. Saroj Sharma, this team dazzled audience and art-lovers from all around the world by displaying the inimitable charm of classical dance-forms.

The performances spurred admiration and surprise from judges and able global competitors alike- and all this also transpired into a special recognition ‘Guru Samman’ for the Ashram’s doyenne Dr. Saroj Sharma.

While Hridaya Khatri perched herself effortlessly at the first place with intricate performances in the Kathak category, little wonder Shreya Sharma (from Kota) took back the top trophy, Shilpa Nahar won the best trophy in single-dance category and Madhurm Khatri grabbed the second rank in Contemporary-dance category. Not just that, a team of 14 passionate Kathak students from the Ashram made sure that the first and second spots were parked under Udaipur’s name. These prizes came thanks to performance on Kathak-Ballet, and other creative-plus-stellar group performances. Here avid Kathak students like Dhun B, Manya H, Priyanka Bajaj, Seema C, Shreya Sharma, Shreya Bhardhwaj, Nidhi Bhargava, Shilpa N, Unnati N, Aasna Katariya, Mitula Panday and Shreya Choubisa put their best foot forward, literally. The team-members also ensured trophies were packed in Udaipur’s suitcases by winning in categories like Modern and Semi-classical contests.

The Indo-Bali Cultural Festival also equipped these participants to get a view of different innovations and genres happening in other parts of the world in the realm of music and dance. Right now, they are still counting their trophies and beaming with pride. More glory to them! May they keep speaking this limitless, borderless language of music and dance everywhere.