Natyacharya Shri Shankar Hombal

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Natyacharya Shri Shankar Hombal, born in December 1927 in Dharwar, Karnataka, was a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance. He was a devoted pupil of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale at the internationally renowned Kalakshetra in Chennai, where he underwent extensive training in both Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. After his training, he established his base in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where he made significant contributions to the propagation of Indian classical dance. In February 1960, Shri Shankar Hombal founded the Kalapadma Bharatnatyam Dance Academy, an institution formally inaugurated by the Late Dr. Shankardayal Sharma, a former President of India. Under his leadership, Kalapadma grew to have branches in Bhopal, Varanasi, and Chicago, demonstrating his commitment to reaching a wider audience. Shri Hombal, along with his family members, including his wife Shrimati Bharti Hombal and son Guru Premchand Hombal, dedicated over 50 years to nurturing the institution and the art form. His son, Guru Premchand Hombal, also became a Bharatanatyam dancer and educator, having received his initial training from his parents. The Kalapadma Dance Academy is affiliated with the Madhya Pradesh Kalaparishad, Bhopal, and the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidhyalaya, Khairagarh, offering comprehensive training that prepares students for Bharatanatyam examinations up to M.A. levels. Shri Hombal was also a prolific choreographer, staging numerous dance dramas. Notable among these were adaptations of Rabindranath Tagore's "Chitrangada" and "Vanagamana," and Kalidasa's "Vikranmovashiyam," "Kumarasambavam," and "Meghdoot." The latter earned golden trophies for best performances at the All India Kalidasa Samaroha in Ujjain. For his profound contributions to the arts, he was honored with the prestigious "Shikhar Samman" by the Madhya Pradesh government. Shri Shankar Hombal passed away before January 2018. Awards & Honours: Shikhar Samman.