Premchand Hombal

🪔 About

Dr. Premchand Hombal was a distinguished Indian classical dancer, scholar, and educator, primarily recognized for his profound contributions to Bharatanatyam and Natyashastra. An alumnus of the esteemed Kalakshetra, he dedicated approximately 37 years of his life to serving the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, where he was an exemplary teacher. His work significantly advanced the promotion and dissemination of Bharatanatyam and Natyashastra, establishing him as a respected figure in the academic and artistic spheres of Indian classical dance. Hombal's dedication to the arts was recognized with prestigious accolades. In 2000, he received the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Further national recognition came in 2021 when he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his "Overall Contribution / Scholarship in Performing Arts". While primarily associated with Bharatanatyam, he also performed Kathak, as evidenced by a 1996 performance with his group. He hailed from a traditional family of Bharatanatyam dancers, a legacy that continues through his daughter, P. Medini Hombal. Medini received her training from her grandparents, Guru Sri Shankar Hombal and Smt. Girija Devi Hombal, as well as from her parents, Sri Premchand Hombal and Smt. Mala Hombal, who is also an eminent Bharatanatyam dancer. P. Medini Hombal herself is an Assistant Professor of Bharatanatyam, carrying forward the family's rich artistic heritage. Dr. Premchand Hombal passed away on April 20, 2025, in Lucknow, with his final rites conducted in Kashi (Varanasi), the city where he made significant contributions to the world of Indian classical dance. His life was marked by a lifelong commitment to teaching and nurturing the next generation of dancers, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Indian performing arts. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Overall Contribution / Scholarship in Performing Arts (2021), Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2000).