The CENTRE FOR INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES AND YOGA, Almaty-Kazakhstan was established in March 2006 by Akmaral Kainazarova. It is remarkable, since this Centre is the first noncommercial institution of international level in Kazakhstan and entire Central Asia.
The aim of the Centre’s work – is a development of physical and spiritual world for the benefit of the human being, the opening of an individual’s creative potential and body health improvement through unique Indian classical dance. Also mutual understanding and harmony between people of different nationalities through sophisticated elite art, deep study of Indian classic dance Bharatanatyam, Kathak, folk dances of India and Kazahstan. Strengthening of cultural relationship between Kazakhstan and India. Understanding of historical closeness and interrelation of cultures of two countries.
The innovative art performances of “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” have been widely covered by various mass media. The programs are devoted to remarkable dates of Kazakhstan and Indian calendars – Independence Day, Republic Day, Spiritual harmony Day, Day of Senior citizens, International Dance Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Astana city Day, International Yoga day etc. The concerts are conducted in collaboration with Embassy of India in Kazakhstan, Almaty and Astana City administrations, UNESCO in Almaty, Theatres, Concert Halls, international and social organizations. Besides dancing activity, the Centre delivers lecture-demonstrations, seminars, workshops in educational institutions of Almaty. They are participating in different charity projects.
By the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in New Delhi Ms Akmaral Kainazarova and students of the “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” conducted successful performance at the 4th International Dance & Music Festival on 14th October, 2013 at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. The concert was attended by diplomatic corps and representatives of the intellectuals. Known dance critics Mr. Sunil Kothari and Ms Leela Venkataraman appreciated the colorful performance of the Kazakhstan dancers.
By the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi Ms Akmaral Kainazarova and students of the «Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan» conducted Bharathanatyam performance in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh at the International Folk Dance festival – Kullu Dussehra- 2013 on 16th October 2013.
Since June, 2015 “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga” regularly celebrates the International Yoga Day at the cities of Kazakhstan. In the program: the Common Yoga protocol, designed by the Government of India and concert.
In November 2015 “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” received highest GRAND PRIX Award for the four first prizes in two age categories for performance of the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam and modern dance in Bollywood style at the International contest in Poland.
“Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” on October 2016 participated in International contest “Fiestalonia Milenio” (Spain), which was held in Georgia. Contest was conducted by Spanish organizers under the patronage of the Mayor of Tbilisi city, CID UNESCO, British International Federation of the International Contest. By the decision of International Jury from Spain Akmaral’s students became the winners of the 2nd Prize Diploma. In category Solo – Akmaral Kainazarova is awarded by the 1st Prize Diploma .
“Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” under the guidance of Ms Akmaral has conducted a series of concert programs of Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam and Kazakh folk dance in Kazakhstan and India to commemorate the 25thAnniversary of establishment of Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and India:
On March 14th, 2017 the concert program was held at the Kazakh State Philarmony named after Zhambyl in the city of Almaty. The official part of the program was opened by the Ambassador of India in the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Harsh Kumar Jain and culturologist, Diplomat Mr. Murat Auezov.
On March 25th, 2017 in Chennai, at the Rukmini Arangam Theatre in “Kalakshetra” College of Fine Arts – the best institution on Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam in India. Chief Guest of the evening – «Kalaimamani» Awardee Guru N.S. Jayalakshmi, Guest of Honour – Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. Padma Subramanyam, Vice President of Shri Ariyakudi Music Foundation Shri G.Ramanujem, and Regional Director of ICCR in Chennai Mrs S.Manoranjitham.
On March 28th, 2017 in New Delhi at the Azad Bhawan Auditorium of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Chief Guest of the evening – Shri Vanlalhuma, DDG ICCR; Guest of Honour – Mr. Phunchok Stobdan, former Ambassador, ex Director ICC; second Guest of Honour – Mr. Ruslan Akhmet, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India.
On March 29th, 2017 the program was conducted at the concert hall of “Delhi Karnataka Sangha” in New Delhi. Chief Guest of the evening– Mr. Bulat Sarsenbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of India, Guest of Honour – Mr. Arvind Nayak, Managing Director of Nayak Group, New Delhi.
On March 31st, 2017 in New Delhi’s Vasant Valley School – one of the best private schools in the capital of India.
In November 2017 the intellectual educational SPIC MACAY program from India started new chapter in Kazakhstan with efforts of Akmaral Kainazarova and support of Embassy of India in Astana. Kathak Guru and performer – Shri Rajendra Gangani conducted inspiring workshops in Almaty in schools, colleges and universities.
“Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan” invites all interested people to study Indian classical dances Bharathanatyam and Kathak, Indian and Kazakh folk dances, traditional Indian yoga.
Akmaral Kainazarova
Akmaral successfully completed her studies in Indian classical dance Bharathanatyam at the College of fine arts “Kalakshetra” (Chennai) as ICCR student; at the Nalanda Dance Research Center, University of Mumbai – was awarded by Diploma in Indian art. In 2011 Akmaral completed MA Bharathanatyam in the Department of Indian music, Madras University (Chennai, India) as ICCR student . She also completed PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy at Sanskrit department, Madras University. In 2013 Akmaral was admitted for the eight years dance course on Indian classical dance Kathak at “Prayag Sangeet Samiti” University (Allahabad, India).
She is the winner of Gold medal and title Champion of the World – 2003 in Hollywood, USA in nomination “ethnic dance” at Seventh World Championship of performing arts.
As the first and only professional performer of the Indian classical dance in Kazakhstan, the name of Akmaral was recorded in to the Golden book Almaty-2000, Kazakhstan Book of Records 2002, Kazakhstan Book of Records 2003-2005, 2006-2007, Indian Book of Records LIMCA 2006, Kazakhstan Book of Records KINES 2008 – 2011, 2010 – 2013,2014-2018, encyclopedia “Who is Who in the Republic of Kazakhstan -2011”.
In the year 2004 Akmaral became the first member from Kazakhstan at the International Dance Council (CID) within the UNESCO in Paris. She is an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi.
She has been honored with author’s certificate on fusion of Kazakh folk and Indian classical dances “In harmony of Kazakh-Indian rhythms” created for the first time in Kazakhstan.
On December 10, 2008 the Ministry of culture and information of the Republic of Kazakhstan awarded Akmaral Kainazarova the honor title and medal Madeniet Kairatkeri (“Representative of Culture”).
On December 15th 2015 at the President’s Palace in Astana on the event of Independence Day of Kazakhstan she was awarded by the title of “Kazakhstannyn Enbek Sinirgen Kairatkeri” i.e., “Honored Worker (Artist) of the Republic of Kazakhstan” signed by President of Kazakhstan Mr Nursultan Nazarbayev.
On the initiative of the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan, Akmaral Kainazarova was honored to perform Bharathanatyam to welcome the Honorable guests from India, His Excellency, the Prime Minister of India – Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (June 2002) during the CICA Summit in Almaty and with her students for His Excellency, Vice-President of India Mr Mohammad Hamid Ansari and present President of Kazakhstan Mr Kasim Zhomart Tokayev in Astana (April 2008).
On July 8th 2015 she had remarkable performance for the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Shri Narendra Modi during his official visit to Kazakhstan.
In November 2016 Akmaral Kainazarova was awarded by the Gold Diploma of the International public association of charity foundations named “Mama”. Award was given to Ms Akmaral for charity work through dance service, for a big contribution to a program of protection of motherhood and the childhood.
Akmaral has presented her art abroad in Tajikistan, Greece, India, USA, Kyrgyzstan, Canada, Poland, Georgia and across all Kazakhstan. She is the author of the dance projects: “Dialogue of cultures – integrated world” (2006), “Literature basis for Indian classical dance” (2007), “Indian classical dance and martial arts of East” (2008), “Essay on India” by Mukhtar Auezov in dance feature of “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga” (2009), “Celebration of 20th years of Independence of Kazakhstan” (2011), “Celebration of the Year of culture” (2012), intellectual project “Guru-Shishya” (2014); concert devoted to the 10th Anniversary of the “Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty” (2016), concerts to commemorate the 25 years of establishment of Diplomatic relations between India and Kazakhstan (2017), the Annual concert on occasion of Inauguration of educational video material “Indian Classical Dance Bharatanatyam for beginners” in Kazakh, English and Russian (2018), concert to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of creative work of Akmaral Kainazarova (2018).
Ms Akmaral is continuously working on development of spiritual values among Kazakhstan people through classical and elite art, strengthening of cultural ties and friendship between Kazakhstan and India, promotion of Indian art and culture in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, promotion of Kazakh folk dances abroad. Today she is well-known artist. Her creative work is widely covered by Mass media in Kazakhstan and abroad.