Centenary Celebration of Dance Pioneer Mohan Khokar's Legacy at IGNCA

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts recently celebrated the birth centenary of Mohan Khokar, a pivotal figure in Indian dance history. The event featured dance performances and an exhibition of rare artefacts that displayed Khokar's immense contributions to the art form. Organized by his son, historian Ashish Khokar, the exhibition highlighted the breadth of Khokar's legacy.

Among the distinguished attendees were former Rajya Sabha MP and Bharatanatyam dancer Sonal Mansingh, former MP Karan Singh, and various luminaries from the arts world. The event, graced by dignitaries like musicologist Bharat Gupt and hotelier Aman Nath, also launched the 2025 edition of AttenDance magazine, focusing on Indian dance's presence in France.

Manshing shared her memories of meeting Mohan Khokar in 1966 and noted his disciplined character and vast collection, which she hoped would reach wider audiences through film. Khokar's profound impact on dance academia continues to be significant, with the collection at IGNCA presenting over 100,000 photos and extensive archival materials. The Mohan Khokar Dance Collection will be available to the public till December 30.