Jogendra K C - Best American Choreographer of the Year Award

I am Jogendra K.C. I am a dancer and a choreographer by profession. I’m a permanent resident of Pyuthan Municipality-09, Pyuthan district in Nepal. I was born on January 03, 1977. I've pursued a School Leaving Certificate (SLC) from Janata Ma. Vi, Pyuthan and I completed my higher education from Ratna Rajya College, situated at Exhibition Road, Putalisadak, Kathmandu. 

My childhood was a typical middle class environment. My father always dreamt for me to become a doctor. On the contrary, I chose dance and I think dance chose me too. I had a dream that was not the same as my father’s. The crucial moment I recall how my life got shifted was, at local shows that would gather many audiences to witness acts of many local artists. Amidst them, I was not an ordinary audience member as unlike them, I was dreaming of become a famous artist as well. 

It was one evening in 1990, after my SLC, that I took the plunge to go to Kathmandu to make my dream come true. Life wasn’t easy for me in Kathmandu. I endured pain and hardship, paying my dues as a dancer. These are the experiences that made me Jogendra K.C. 

In the year 1996, one of the oldest and most famous institutes of that time, Shadhana Kala Kendra, organized a nationwide folk dance competition on the occasion of our King Birendra’s ascension ceremony. I choreographed and danced in the first position in this program. Since then, my dancing voyage had not ended. I’ve spent 30 years in stage programs and it’s still going on. Three decades of  expertise in dancing field enabled me to choreograph several videos, dance in movies, a national and international folk festivals. I choreographed contemporary, classical, folk and ethnic dances for many events organized by stake holding institutions. I travelled to Japan, Qatar, UAE, Thailand, India Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece, France, Estonia, Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Spain and other foreign countries to participate in different international folk festivals, exploring Nepalese culture abroad through dance. 

The culture and tradition is a culmination of its ethnicity, religion, values, and beliefs of its tribal and social groups. Nepal’s rich and diverse culture is reflected in its music, dance, art, literature, folklore and its language. I have expressed my views,  pertaining to our culture and its preservation in many interviews with different national and international media. I worked as an ambassador of culture through my dance to the national and international community. 

In recognition of my contribution, I have been conferred by various national and international awards which are as follows:

- Star International Award 2021

- Nepal Music and Fashion Award

- Best Choreographer (Folk) 2022 Stage Performance

- Shadhana Award

- Jana Sewashree- Fifth ranking (by Rt. Honorable President Bidhya Devi Bhandari

Currently, continuing my profession, I’m directly involved in many national and international organizations. They include:

- Everest Nepal Cultural Group as Director and Main Choreographer

- Aama Ghar Orphanage as Board Member

- Bagmati Boarding Higher Secondary School as Dance Director

-Gyankunj Higher Secondary School as Dance Director

- Laligurans National Academy as Director

- Director at International Folk Festival, Nepal

- Member at IOV International Organization of Folk Art

- World Association of Performing arts as honorary member

- Founder Member at Dance Director Association Nepal (D-DAN)

I have established the Nepal Folkloric Foundation and am founder President of this institution. This institution is established to preserve the culture and promote activities meant to introduce and educate citizens on associated aspects of culture, history and cultural environment. Nepal Folkloric Foundation has a team of professionally talented and innovative Nepalese artists. The Foundation has 15 years of expertise in the arts, majoring in traditional and cultural dance and music of Nepal. 

I have been honored and appreciated for helping my nation spread Nepal’s rich culture, and diversity by:

- Cultural Corporation of Nepal

- Nepal Academy

- Kathmandu Association of the deaf

- Nepal Music and Theatre Academy

- Sadhana Kala Kendra

- Nepal Film Producer’s Association

In my entire career, apart from participating in different shows and programs, I have trained hundreds of students who are now seen in well established institutions and in reputed ranks. I have always been orthodox especially in doing things paved by my dream. My aim in life is also to be a role model for new stimulus for upcoming youths and pride for my seniors. I am always thankful to my seniors for their blessing and juniors for their love. 

I came to learn about this American Award through Facebook and found it truly amazing. I felt this award would certainly add glorious success in my career. I appreciate this award for it’s aim of selecting talented personalities from this world. This American Award affiliated to the United Research Council has really stimulated me to accept further responsibilities for serving our nation. I extend my sincere gratitude to the entire award team in fact for this awesome opportunity provided to me to be a part of this. 

Thanks again.