Rukmini Chatterjee conferred Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, conferred the insignia of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on renowned danseuse-choreographer Rukmini Chatterjee at the Residence of France, New Delhi. This distinction comes in recognition of her remarkable artistic achievements across the globe and her contribution to the Indo-French cultural relationship through the performing arts.

A firm believer in bringing together different art forms, cultures, and philosophies to give birth to a new language of performance, Rukmini Chatterjee uses dance as her medium to emphasise the underlying unity of all humanity. Her vast repertoire of international performances is a constant dialogue between traditional Indian and other forms of classical and contemporary dance from around the world. A fluent francophone, Rukmini Chatterjee has made Paris her home since 1990 and has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals in France.

Congratulating Rukmini Chatterjee on this occasion, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, remarked, “I am pleased to confer this distinction upon Ms Rukmini Chatterjee, in recognition of her outstanding artistic career and her tireless contributions to deepening the cultural connect between France and India. In France, Rukmini Chatterjee has brought Indian danse traditions to the most prestigious French venues; in India, she has been instrumental throughout the years in helping the French Embassy tour the best of our national artists and cultural representatives, putting them in touch with major venues across the country and key local partners. She is a true Indo-French artistic icon.”

Receiving the distinction, Rukmini Chatterjee said “I am deeply humbled by this award, as I feel that I have only just begun on my artistic journey and a long path lies ahead. My work is a quest to discover and celebrate the universal aspects of humanity. Therefore, receiving this award becomes particularly meaningful in our fragmented world of today, where the power of art to bridge divides and foster unity is more crucial than ever."

• Rukmini Chatterjee

Trained in Bharatnatyam under Mrinalini Sarabhai, Rukmini Chatterjee performed her first solo debut, Arangetram, at the age of 13. At the same age, she was awarded the title of Sringar Mani meaning ‘artistic jewel’ at the Sur Singar music and dance festival for rising stars, following which she went on to win accolades at various dance festivals, such as the Kalidas Sammelan of Mumbai. In India, she performed in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad before settling in Paris in 1990.

Rukmini Chatterjee has performed at prestigious venues in France, such as Maison des métallos-Paris, National Theatre of Odeon and the Châteauvallon theatre, as well as eminent international festivals, such as the festival Quartier d’été in Paris, Festival of Arles, the Biennale of Lyon, and the Lille 3000 festival. She was chosen as the face of India by renowned French photographer Jean Paul Goude for the Galeries Lafayette. French company Hermès had also chosen her as their principal choreographer in 2008 to represent ‘Indian Fantasies’ in their year dedicated to India. Outside France, she has performed in numerous international arts festivals in Europe, including the Oslo World Music festival, the Costante Cambiamento festival in Florence, and the Venice Biennale, as well as in the Royal Opera House of London, and Future Theatre in Beijing to name a few.

Rukmini Chatterjee worked with French choreographer Wilfrid Piollet, to choreograph Rencontre (Meetings) in 2008-09. This event, which seamlessly blended Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Classical Ballet to create a dialogue between Indian and European cultural traditions, received critical acclaim in France as well as in India during editions of the Bonjour India festival.

Rukmini Chatterjee is also the artistic director of Connections, the annual international performing arts festival hosted by the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts in Delhi since 2014. The second edition of Connections in 2015, a collaborative venture between the Embassy of France in India, Institut Français in India, and the Ministry of Culture of India, saw Rukmini Chatterjee bring together Bharatnatyam, Tango and classical Ballet to celebrate the world of universal energy.

The convergence of her fascination with the universal philosophy found in the sacred Upanishadic texts and her experiences in Paris, a melting pot of artistic inspiration, shapes her work. This coming together of the East and the West, results in unique choreographies that resonate with audiences across the globe.