Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar
Under the artistic direction of Smt. Vaswati Misra — renowned Kathak exponent and President of Dhwani — the organization presented Smriti 2025, an evening celebrating the life and legacy of Padma Shri Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. The event was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Meghdoot Amphitheatre, Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi, marking both Dhwani’s Founder’s Day and the maestro’s 118th birth anniversary.
Conceptualised as a tribute to one of India’s most influential cultural icons, Smriti 2025 also unveiled the inaugural Pandit Shambhu Maharaj Smriti Puraskar, an annual honour instituted by Dhwani to recognise excellence in Indian classical arts. The first awards were conferred upon two towering figures — Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for his extraordinary contribution to Hindustani instrumental music, and Guru Dr. Maya Rao (posthumously) for her pioneering role in Kathak pedagogy and choreography.
Kathak duet by Daniel Freddy and Ipshita Misra
The evening opened with a walk-through photo exhibition on Pandit Shambhu Maharaj’s life and artistic journey, followed by a welcome address and an audio-visual homage. Performances included a presentation by the Dhwani Repertory, a Kathak duet by Ipshita Misra (granddaughter of Pt. Shambhu Maharaj) with Daniel Freddy, and a concluding sitar recital by Padma Shri Ustad Shahid Parvez, accompanied by Ustad Akram Khan on tabla.
Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar’s awardees
Receiving the Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan shared heartfelt memories:
“I feel blessed to be here. Receiving Shambhu Maharaj ji’s grace is a true honour. When my family moved to Delhi in 1957, I often saw him walk into this very building of Bharatiya Kala Kendra. As a child drawn to the tabla, I wandered through every class, absorbing whatever I could. I still consider myself a student, and I’m glad this legacy continues through Pt. Krishan Mohan Mishra, Pt. Ram Mohan Maharaj, and Vaswati Misra.”
Smt. Vaswati Misra, who has steered Dhwani since its founding in 1984, continues to carry forward the teachings of her Guru, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj. Speaking about Smriti 2025, she said, “This celebration is our humble offering to the spirit of our Guru, Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. Through the Smriti Puraskar, we hope to preserve his ideals of grace, devotion, and excellence, and honour those who enrich India’s classical heritage with the same integrity.”
Presentation by the Dhwani Repertory
Founded in 1984, Dhwani is a registered non-profit recognised by the Government of India and empanelled with ICCR and the Ministry of Culture. Under Vaswati Misra’s leadership, the organisation has performed widely across India and internationally — in Japan, the USA, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Canada — presenting thematic works that blend tradition with contemporary expression.
The institution of the Dhwani Shambhu Smriti Puraskar marks a significant milestone in Dhwani’s journey, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing India’s classical arts and creating meaningful platforms for artistic excellence. Smriti 2025 emerged not just as a commemoration, but as a continuation — honouring Pandit Shambhu Maharaj’s timeless influence while celebrating those who carry his luminous legacy into the future.
