‘Magician of Light’ Dinesh Kumar Poddar Honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by President Droupadi Murmu
By Suman Munshi, IBG NEWS
Kolkata: For more than three decades, Dinesh Kumar Poddar has transformed light into an integral part of artistic expression, illuminating theatre stages, dance performances, music concerts, cultural programmes and Durga Puja installations. Recognised for his distinctive contribution to lighting design, Poddar has now received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2024 in the Allied Theatre Arts – Lighting category.
The award was presented by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who personally handed over the citation to the acclaimed lighting designer.
Often described as the “Magician of Light,” Poddar has built an extensive body of work spanning theatre, classical and contemporary dance, music and large-scale cultural productions. His career began with acting in theatre before he moved into set design and eventually established himself as a specialist in stage lighting.
A career shaped by light and theatre
Over the years, Poddar has worked with some of India’s most celebrated performers and creative personalities. His lighting designs have contributed to productions featuring renowned dance personalities including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Vidushi Sanjukta Panigrahi, Mallika Sarabhai, Tanusree Shankar, Geeta Chandran, Ila Arun, Astad Deboo, Luna Poddar and Saswati Sen.
His work has also accompanied performances by leading musicians such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Niladri Kumar and Anoushka Shankar.
In theatre, Poddar has collaborated with prominent directors including Shyamanand Jalan, Bratya Basu and Suman Mukhopadhyay, contributing lighting designs that have helped shape the visual language of their productions.
Recognition across the years
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award adds to a long list of honours received by Poddar. His previous recognitions include the West Bengal Government’s Best Lighting Designer Award (2007), Excellence in Stage Light Designing (2013), the Bharat Nirman Award, and the Usha Uthup Stagecraft Awards, which he received in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
His other honours include the EEMA Spotlight Award (2017) and the Outstanding Young Person of Calcutta Award (1998).
Taking Indian lighting design to the world
Poddar’s professional journey has also taken him beyond India. His lighting work has been presented during international tours and projects in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and countries in West Africa. Several of these engagements were undertaken under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
His work has also been part of major programmes attended by senior constitutional and political leaders, including former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, as well as programmes hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Beyond performances
Poddar’s contribution extends beyond designing lights for productions. He conducts practical lighting workshops at institutions including the National School of Drama, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre and Rabindra Bharati University.
He has also provided technical support to the British Council, US Consulate and other foreign consulates in Kolkata.
In Kolkata, his lighting work has become particularly visible during Durga Puja, where he has designed elaborate lighting installations for several pandals. Some of these projects have gone on to receive awards, further establishing his reputation among the city’s cultural and creative communities.
‘The journey has been illuminated by the path of light’
Reflecting on the national honour, Poddar expressed his gratitude and described the recognition as a source of renewed inspiration.
“I am immensely proud. My journey has been illuminated by the path of light; today, this recognition—stemming from that very path—has further inspired me for the journey ahead. I am grateful to the Sangeet Natak Akademi for this award.”
For an artist whose medium is light, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award represents a significant recognition of decades spent working behind the scenes to shape what audiences ultimately see on stage. His journey demonstrates how lighting, often operating away from the spotlight, can become an essential artistic force in theatre and the performing arts.
