International seminar marks 75 years of MSU’s dance department

Vadodara: An international seminar organized to mark 75 years of the department of dance in the Faculty of Performing Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) began on Friday, drawing eminent scholars and artistes from India and abroad.Titled "Ancient and Modern Literature in Performing and Visual Arts and Its Practices," the two-day seminar brought together 200 scholars, performers and academicians to examine the relationship between literary traditions and artistic practice.Puru Dadheech, Padma Shri awardee and scholar, attended as chief guest, while renowned Kathak exponent and Padma Shri recipient Shovana Narayan delivered the keynote address. Both highlighted the lasting influence of literature on the evolution of Indian performing and visual arts.Resource persons included violinist Sangeeta Shankar, harmonium exponent and academician Keshav Chaitanya Kunte, tabla player Rahul Swarnakar, along with Kanaiyalal Patel, Dhanya Jois, Mahesh Champaklal and D Padmakumar.Scholars from across India and delegates from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius and Nepal participated, presenting research papers.The first day concluded with performances by students of the department of dance under the guidance of Tripti Gupta, Preeti Damle and head of department Smriti Waghela.