Picture Courtesy: Sunil Kothari’s Facebook Page
Sunil Bhai was an illustrious, intelligent and hard working person. He respected value of each and everything- Be it time, knowledge, talent or human being. I always remember Sunil bhai as a fun loving, amicable and very jovial person. He was a Dance Encyclopedia. Every event post independence, every dance and relative art, each and every renowned dancer, their students and many more things were on his lips. He was a treasure of knowledge.
When I look back to my camaraderie with Sunil bhai, I fondly remember the unconditional love I got from him. He was very close to my family as well. My association with him goes back to the days of Kala Vikash Kendra. He always fondly remembered those days whenever we met. To me he was not only a celebrated dance critic and a scholar but my big brother. It was he who taught me to socialise with people, reach out to them and carve a niche for myself in this world of Classical Dance.
With Sunil Bhai and Protima Bedi: Pic Courtesy: Aloka Kanungo
I am very fortunate to receive his appreciations and encouragements throughout. His blessings poured in for me in the form of good reviews each and every time. The last time my students and i received his statement review was for Konark Dance Festival 2019.
With Sunil Bhai, Pandit Birju Maharaj and Leela Venkatraman: Guru Shishya Parampara, New Delhi
His sudden death has left me in utter shock. I can hardly come to terms with this loss. His last message was, he will conquer Corona as lot of other people. He won the battle against the deadly Corona, but we lost him to “Cardiac arrest”. Such is life!
THERE IS NOBODY LIKE HIM IN THE CULTURAL FIELD NEITHER ANOTHER ONE WILL BE IN NEAR FUTURE.
WE WILL MISS YOU SUNIL BHAI, THE DANCE SCENE IS CHARMLESS WITHOUT YOU.
PRANAM AT YOUR LOTOUS FEET
May your soul rest in peace.
Yours Aloka…
