“Centre for Indian classical dances and yoga, Almaty – Kazakhstan” has been working since 2006, being a cultural Сentre of love and respect for traditional Indian culture.
The aim of the Centre’s work is spiritual development of Kazakhstani people, discovery of creative potential of the personality and health improvement by means of unique Indian classical dance and yoga. Mutual understanding and harmony between people of different nationalities through high elite art, deep study of Indian classical dances Bharatanatyam, Kathak, folk dances of India and Kazakhstan. Strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries, realization of historical proximity (Great Silk Road) and interconnection of cultures of the two countries.
“Centre for Indian classical dances and yoga, Almaty – Kazakhstan” has received many awards. Grand Prix winner at the International Competition in Europe; winner in the nomination “ethnic dance” for the performance of classical dance Bharatanatyam and in the nomination “folk dance” for the performance of Kazakh folk dance at International competitions in Poland, Spain, Georgia, India.
The list of international and local organizations with which the ” Centre for Indian classical dances and yoga, Almaty – Kazakhstan” cooperates is as follows – Embassy of India in Kazakhstan, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR in New Delhi), Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India in Astana, Embassy of Kazakhstan in India, UNESCO in Almaty, Kazakh National Academy of Choreography in Astana, Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi in Almaty, “Turan” university in Almaty, School No. 92 named after Mahatma Gandhi, Scientific and cultural center “Auezov House”, National Library of Almaty and National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana, Serik Sariev’s dance school “ZHORGA” in Aktau, State Museum of Arts named after Abylkhan Kasteev, Cultural Center named after N.K. Roerich, Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy, Tien Shan Tai chi Federation –and the other organizations.
On the 7th of August 2008, a significant performance of the Centre was held in honor of Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Vice-President of India, and Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, at the Presidential Cultural Centre in Astana.
On 8 July 2015 in Astana, within the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of India to Kazakhstan, Akmaral Kainazarova had the high honor to perform Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam for the President of Kazakhstan Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi at the Presidential Palace “Akorda”.
In the course of variety activities of the Centre, on 14 June 2023, the presentation of Akmaral Kainazarova’s book – “Indian Classical Dance. Kazakhstan and India” in Kazakh and Russian languages. This publication is the only one in the post-Soviet space on Indian classical dance and the development of stylized Indian dance in Kazakhstan. This book in Kazakh and Russian was honored to be included in the library of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
On 8 September 2023, Akmaral Kainazarova performed in Astana for the delegates of the 40th Meeting of the SCO RATS Council. Her art was highly appreciated by Mr Pankaj Kumar Singh – Deputy National Security Advisor of the National Security Council Secretariat of the Government of India and members of the high-level delegation from New Delhi.
The Centre conducts international intellectual projects on a regular basis. The details of charity events, concerts and workshops since the foundation of the institution can be viewed in detail in the ‘Projects’ section. “Centre for Indian classical dances and yoga, Almaty – Kazakhstan” is the first and only organization in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to teach the ancient classical forms of Indian Bharatanatyam and Kathak dances and therapeutic Yoga. Children, adolescents, men and women up to and including 70 years of age are engaged in the Centre.
Акмарал Кайназарова
Founder and choreographer of “Centre for Indian classical dances and yoga, Almaty – Kazakhstan” – Akmaral Kainazarova, Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, received the State award for the 30th anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan – medal “Shapagat” signed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. World Champion 2003 in the nomination “ethnic dance” at the Seventh World Championship on Performing Arts in Hollywood, USA. Graduate of the Faculty of Journalism of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty. The first ICCR student from Kazakhstan, graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts “Kalakshetra”, Chennai, India in Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam (scholarship of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations of the Government of India (ICCR). M.A. in Bharatanatyam and Choreography and holds a Diploma in Therapeutic Yoga from the Department of Sanskrit, Madras University, Chennai. Ms. Akmaral is an Empanelment Artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India, New Delhi. She has presented her art on prestigious stages in Kazakhstan, India, Tajikistan, USA, Greece, Poland, Georgia, Canada, Spain, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.