Honorary doctorate ‘Honoris Causa’ conferred on  Ashish Pillai Indore
Honorary doctorate ‘Honoris Causa’ conferred on Ashish Pillai Indore
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Indore-based Classical Dancer and Rehabilitation Psychologist Ashish Pillai, has been awarded Honoris Causa Doctorate in recognition to his dedicated work in the field of Dance Education and Psychosocial Rehabilitation through Arts. He was awarded Honorary Doctorate by Commonwealth Vocational University in the specialised area of Dance Education and Psychosocial Rehabilitation through Arts.

The Awarded was handed over during universities International Conference held on 11th July at Radisson Gurgaon. Ashish Pillai is Keralite born and brought up in Indore. He is often given credit to popularizing south Indian Dance form in Central India. He is a household name in the field of Dance as a teacher, choreographer and academician. He has been heading Drupad Society for Arts and holistic development and has been running Drupad Dance Academy since last 15years. Apart from dance, he is a Rehabilitation counselor. He has completed MA Psychology bagging a gold medal in 2014 from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, completed PG Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology. He is putting in devoted efforts to his academic PhD in Psychology in his field of interest of adolescent issues. He has been providing counseling services to needy free of cost during entire pandemic. He uses multiple therapeutic techniques apart from arts to help people who come to him when they feel there is no way out and there is no hope.

He uses academic expertise in psychology in to classical dance. He believes art can be a tool for not only physical well-being but also psychological strengthening of an individual. Ashish believes that dance and all form of arts works towards identifying self and exploring the answers to our past present and future. It sees into what we did and what we do to help chart a path, which is best for our future. It holds the time so that it can be evaluated and analysed. It transcends the barriers or inhibitions to which a person is tied to, making one free to achieve manifold success. Dance is a part of wholesome education. It takes a person through different levels of personal and intellectual development. It's sad that it was put up as mere extra-curricular activity at schools leading to misconception among parents that it's just a way to relax or mere extra work. The generation lost a viable source of maintaining legacy of our culture and a great vocation. Today's parents mindset is similar to the times when great traditional teaching systems were destroyed,  previously they killed it in burning day light and today people have consciously put on Gandharian blindfold to virtues and strength of our art forms. Our Art form though finds foundation in Natyashastra,we majority of Indians have failed to give it it's due respect. Many rishis and scholars did their bit, we as people have failed them for not preserving their works as well as acknowledge elders who have tried to do so. We have been frankly placed our arts in the boundaries of biased perceptions, screaming ignorance and blatant fandom towards everything other than Indian.  Ashish Pillai believes the award of doctorate is a sign that he has been working in the right direction.

 He feels the mix of Psychology and dance have brought out the best in him and given him an opportunity to give back something to the society. His journey according to him had never been easy, as no journey is complete without ups and downs. He as a dancer found it difficult to be standing up in a cliche world attributed to be forte of women. He has openly advocated that Indian dance forms have great power to enlighten minds and invigorate body. It is not just movements but a systematic thoughtful process of self-regulation and mindful practices. Ashish Pillai's anthology of poems titled Blossoms was published in 2020.

He says his journey has just begun. There are more milestones set. He is indebted to his parents and teachers for inspiring and guiding him. He believes there is no place better than the heart of people to reside, his students and well wishers motivate him to remain on the track of his goals.

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