Vadodara, also known as Baroda, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and significant contributions to Gujarati culture and literature. The city has played a pivotal role in shaping the literary landscape of Gujarat and continues to be a hub of artistic and intellectual pursuits.
Vadodara has been a center of learning and patronage for centuries. The city was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Baroda, known for its enlightened rulers who encouraged arts, literature, and education. This support laid the foundation for the flourishing of Gujarati culture and literature in the region.
One of the defining features of Vadodara's relationship with Gujarati culture is its vibrant literary tradition. The city has been home to renowned Gujarati authors, poets, and playwrights who have contributed significantly to the Gujarati literary canon. Prominent literary figures such as Narmad, Govardhanram Tripathi, and Rajendra Shah hailed from Vadodara, and their works have left an indelible mark on Gujarati literature.
The city has also been a breeding ground for literary societies, publishing houses, and cultural institutions. These institutions have played a crucial role in nurturing emerging talents, organizing literary events, and preserving and promoting Gujarati language and literature. Vadodara has witnessed the birth of literary magazines, literary conferences, and literary awards that have fostered creativity and intellectual discourse.
Furthermore, Vadodara's association with Gujarati culture extends beyond literature. The city is known for its vibrant folk traditions, music, dance forms, and performing arts. The famous Garba dance, a traditional Gujarati folk dance, thrives in Vadodara during the Navratri festival, showcasing the city's cultural vibrancy.
Additionally, Vadodara is home to several cultural centers, museums, and art galleries that exhibit and preserve Gujarati art, craft, and heritage. These institutions provide platforms for artists, artisans, and performers to showcase their talents and contribute to the preservation and promotion of Gujarati culture.
Parul Shah is an accomplished performing artist, cross-cultural choreographer, Bharatanatyam guru, dance educator, scholar, researcher, and arts administrator. With over half a century of experience in the field of dance, she is a highly motivated individual with an illustrious career.
Parul Shah holds various educational qualifications, including a B.Sc. in Physics, LLB (general), LLB (Specialization in Taxation), Ph.D., M.Mus., B.Mus., PG Dip in Nattuvangam, and a Diploma in Dance. She has also received special training in Movement Analysis and Dance Therapy.
Currently, Parul Shah serves as the Principal Investigator for the MHRD-UGC eContent PG Pathashala and MOOCs in the Swayam Project for Performing Arts Dance since 2014. She has previously held positions as Dean and Head of the Dance Department at the Maharaja Sayajirao University, serving in 1994-1996, 2012-2014, and as a Professor, Reader, and Lecturer in the same department from 1981 to 2014.
Parul Shah has been recognized for her contributions and achievements throughout her career. She has received the Government of India Senior Fellowship (2018-20), Senior Fulbright Scholarship (1992), Erasmus Mundus Heritage Scholarship from the European Union (201), and the Gujarat Rajya Gaurav Puraskar, among other accolades.
In addition to her academic and administrative roles, Parul Shah is an active practitioner of Bharatanatyam, Creative Dance, and Folk Dance. She has created numerous major dance productions, including Rajyalaksmi, Buddha Tattva, Dipta Kailash, Kanya Viday, Two Roads and a Path, Abhishap, Chetana, Shri Chandramaulishwar Kuravanji, Shri Antaryami, Nirguna, Kavi-Kavita-Gujarat, Random Graces, and many more in solo and group formats.
Since 1981, Parul Shah has been running the Anjali Memorial Committee Baroda, a dance company that performs extensively across India and abroad. She also holds the position of Special Projects Director at the International Folk Art Organization, a UNESCO body.
Parul Shah's main focus lies in expanding the horizons of Bharatanatyam, ensuring that the richness of classical dance enriches future generations. She is dedicated to nurturing the art form and its traditions while pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic expressions.