Nagpur News : Nagpur’s Priyanka Shakti Thakur, known for her unique approach to drama, has been honored with a prestigious award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Her name has been declared for ‘Ustaad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2023’. Prof. Thakur, who heads the Department of BVoC (Acting and Theatre Stagecraft) at VMV College, has been involved in performing arts since she was 14 years old. She started her theatrical journey in Bhopal and has not only acted in various roles but has also directed and produced numerous plays.
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama in New Delhi, has chosen six distinguished individuals from the performing arts sector as Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna). This fellowship is considered the highest and most exclusive honor, with only 40 individuals holding the title at any given time.
The General Council has also chosen 92 artists from various fields such as Music, Dance, Theatre, Traditional / Folk / Tribal Music / Dance/ Theatre, Puppetry, and Overall Contribution / Scholarship in the performing arts for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the years 2022 and 2023. Prof. Thakur was selected in the category of Traditional Theatre, and she is the sole candidate from Maharashtra to receive this honor under this category.
“I always tried to do something different that most people won’t do. I chose characters like Rashtrapurush Atalji, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Jhalkaribai, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Tantya Bhilla, Birsa Munda and directed the dramas related to these great leaders and also acted in those,” said Prof Priyanka Shakti Thakur.
Prof. Thakur made sure to spotlight forgotten heroes, heroines, and individuals from marginalized sections of society in her performances. “I always feel, the sacrifices of the people about whom very few know should be spread among public. Their sacrifices are equally creditable as far as India’s freedom fight is taken into account,” said Prof Thakur.
After getting married, Prof. Thakur moved to Nagpur and continued her passion for working in the theatre sector. In 2022, she received the acclaimed Rangmanch Puraskar, along with Dream Girl Hema Malini, from the prestigious organization ‘Waghdhara’. Additionally, Priyanka Shakti Thakur has been honored with the Shaurya Award and Cultural Heritage Award by the Governors of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively.
