Dr Rama Das
By A Correspondent
Patna: Renowned Kathak dancer and guru Dr Rama Das has been chosen for this year’s Siyaram Tiwari Lifetime Award. She will receive the honour at a Dhrupad evening organised by Naad Vistaar in Patna on August 23, 2026.
Dr Rama Das is one of Bihar’s senior-most Kathak dancers and gurus. She gave her first performance in 1972 at the Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Centenary celebrations held at Patna’s Sri Krishna Memorial Hall. She shared the stage with Padma Vibhushan awardees Yamini Krishnamurti and Kishori Amonkar.
Since then, she has remained active in the field of Kathak. During her 55-year artistic journey, Rama Das has performed at several prestigious festivals and events across the country, helping give Bihar a distinct cultural identity.
In recognition of her achievements and contribution to the arts, she has received several honours, including the Ambapali Award from the Bihar Government, Singar Mani from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, the Swar Sadhana Samiti Honour from Mumbai, and the Bihar Gaurav Award.
She has also made a significant contribution as a guru. Many of her disciples are now established in Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Dr Das has conducted research on Kathak and has participated in seminars at Kathak Kendra, Delhi, and other forums, where she has discussed challenges facing the classical dance form.
Reacting to the announcement of the award, Dr Rama Das said she was especially happy because she had shared the stage with Pt Siyaram Tiwari on several occasions.
“We were often invited together to the Vidyapati Parv celebrations organised by Chetna Samiti. We therefore travelled together several times for programmes outside Patna. We would have long conversations during these journeys. He would also visit our home,” she said.
“It was more like a family relationship between us. This honour has made that relationship even sweeter and more memorable,” Dr Rama Das added.
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