Report by Star News Agency

27 November, 2021

Eminent Bharatanatyam Dancer, Choreographer, Producer and Professor of Natyashastra, currently touring the United Kingdom for a series of performances, lecture-demonstrations, and the UK release of the Roli Books published coffee-table book inspired by her stage stories 'Dancing With The Gods' at The Nehru Centre, London, was invited to perform at the 2021. She Inspires Annual Awards Gala at Bolton, UK, in collaboration with the United Nations, the European Union and 'Orange The World' - the UN movement to eradicate violence against women. 

This annual mega-event honours women achievers who have meaningfully contributed to the betterment of society, from all walks of life across local, national and global spheres. The organisation is based in Bolton,UK, and counts amongst its patrons the City of Bolton, British Red Cross and The Royal Air Force. Apart from being the primary performer for the evening,Sohini was also a finalist in the 'Global Culture Champion' award category for 2021.

The resumption of this mega annual event in front of a physical audience, at the iconic Bolton Rangers Football stadium, was graced by luminaries ranging from the Mayor of Bolton, the Provost of Bolton University,  Baroness Trish Morris, the President of the British Red Cross and a host of other prominent politicians,bureaucrats, royalty, stars from the arts and sports etc. 

Sohini performed two of her signature Bharatanatyam pieces on Women Empowerment and Stree Shakti, to the dulcet accompaniment of famed Country singer Sue Jones' live rendition of 'Courage to Change' and 'Hero', to a packed live house, as well as a global Zoom audience. Dancing along with Sohini were members of the dance repertoire of Bolton College, trained by Sohini the previous evening.

The highlight of the evening was the announcements of the awards in the various categories, presented to the winners by the present luminaries and dignitaries. Sohini won the 'Global Culture Champion Award' in her nominated category, with the citation making special mention of her path breaking work with marginalised children all over the world, using her art to spread music, rhythm and joy in their lives. 

But the icing on the cake was when, at the grand finale of the evening, Sohini was awarded the 'Global Woman of the Year' - an Award of Awards which recognized the most distinguished and relevant awardee from amongst all awardees, one whose work or craft or contribution had made the maximum difference, with maximum impact to the maximum people. In her post-awards interview to tv channels, Sohini said that the awards were humbling, further validation for the course she has set for herself, and stronger winds beneath her wings to work on for women empowerment, and improving the lot of the marginalised and the displaced, through her art.