Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari receiving
the Mahila Shiromani Award from the hands of the then
honourable Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Shivraj Patil.
 Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari giving a performance at an International NRI-Conference in New Delhi. |
Kumari Somashekhari
is a direct disciple of
H.D. SHRI PARAMAHAMSA OMKARANANDA SARASWATI
and the General Secretary of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
She has studied Bharatanatyam and Odissi from prominent Gurus, like Dr. Yamini Krishnamurti, Dr. Minati Mishra and other renowned personalities. She also got intensive training in North-Indian Kathak Dance under various Dance Gurus from Jaipur, Mathura, Calcutta, Lucknow, Benares, etc. and earned a Prabhakar Title for Kathak Dance from Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad (Prayagraj).
She received training in Bharatanatyam Temple-Dances by the Bharatanatyam Guru Shri Deepak Mazumdar, Mumbai.
Kumari Somashekhari has specialized in the devotional aspect of Indian Classical Dance. Her aim is to revive the ancient Temple-Style and propagate dance as Sadhana, as a way to God-experience. Her dance is a pure dedication to her beloved Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.
Kumari Somashekhari has performed before distinguished gatherings in India and abroad and has been applauded by art lovers and critics for her authentic depiction of moods, for her grace and flawless presentations of various dance forms.
One of her memorable performances was during an India-NRI World Convention when she won spontaneous applause.
Daughters of well-known and highly respected Educationists in Mauritius wrote a beautiful description of Kumari Somashekhari's Temple-Dance Performance, which they saw in the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple, situated at La Laura, Saint Pierre, in a feerique setting, at the foot of Pieter Both, with seven Hills encircling it. In this Temple are serving Priests, trained at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s Ved Pathashala. Somashekhari had been specially invited to give her devotional dance-recital as a part of the Puja for Lord Venkateswara:
"Kumari Somashekhari then performed her dances. She danced in an ecstatic mood and fervour, forgetful of the presence of so many devotees as the hall was packed to its full capacity. She transmitted divine vibrations to all present. She was perfection personified. Divine Grace descended upon her every time she climbed the steps to pay her humble obeisance to Lord Venkateswara. The atmosphere was electrified as the audience applauded each dance and asked for more. The devotees were spellbound at her graceful movements. There was no sign of tension, stress or apprehension, but pure spiritual devotion. She created a social and spiritual awareness whereby the devotees do not become arrogant, assertive and selfish." (By Rajalakshmi & Niranjani Ramgoolam, daughters of Educationists Srimati Kamala & Sri Praveen Ramgoolam, Forest Side, Mauritius)
Kumari Somashekhari's dance has been several times broadcasted in various TV-Channels in India and abroad and has been shown in Indian and Foreign Documentary-Films.
The efforts in her cultural field earned her the prestigious "Mahila Shiromani Award". Later on she also received other Awards, like "Natya Ratna Award", "Rashtra Shakti Award", etc.
On 13th May 2019 Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari was honoured with the "Bharatiya Shastriya Nritya Shiromani Award for Excellence in Indian Classical Temple Dance and Vedic Culture" by the Senior Citizen Welfare Organization (Reg.), Rishikesh.
In a grand Function, Kalanidhi Kumari Somashekhari received the "National Award for Promotion of Art & Culture", in Film-City, Noida, on 6th October 2023.
Besides her love for Indian Classical Dance, Kumari Somashekhari has a great love for the Indian Classical Music. She received training in Karnatic Vocal Music, playing the Tambura and the Veena, and she also studied Hindustani Vocal Music.
Somashekhari sings devotional songs in different Indian languages, whenever she is asked to do so, like in Hindi, Sanskrit, Brijbhasha, Garhwali, temporary and ancient Tamil and Telugu.
The Honour, Kumari Somashekhari cherishes most, is, that her adorable Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati blessed her with two Titles: "Guru-Bhakti-Ratna" and "Kalanidhi". "Kalanidhi" is an attribute of the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari and means "Ocean of Arts". "Kalanidhi" is considered the highest Award for Artists.