Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry as Sage Narada

Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry, born in the year 1982, eldest son of Kuchipudi Dance maestro, Sri Vedatam Radheshyam is an acknowledged child prodigy from the traditional families of Kuchipudi.

He started his dance training under the guidance of his illustrious father and then honed his skills under Padma Bhushan Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam and Vedantam Rattiaya Sarma.

Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry

He is academically well qualified having a Diploma Course, Certificate Course in Kuchipuid Dance and Post Graduate Diploma – Yakshaganam from Potti Sri Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. He has done   bachelors in Telugu (Oriental Bachelor of Arts). Further he has also done a certificate course in Mirdangam.

Apart from being a dancer, Narasimha Sastry is also accomplished in Carnatic Vocal Music, Mridangam (instrument) and Nattuvangam having learnt vocal music from Sri Sistu Prabhakara Krishna Sastry and Mirudangam from Sri P. Satyanarayana.

Being a multi faceted talented artist, his proficiency in dance, music and instruments enables him to put his stamp of excellence in all his performances, imparting training and choreographies.

Young Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry felicitated.

He is performing from childhood and has travelled all over the country and abroad alike while performing in more than 800 dance programs.  He has been honoured the prestigious Ugadi Puraskar by Government of Andhra Pradesh as Best Youth Classical Dancer for the year 2007. He has been felicitated by Abhinaya Nrutya Bharathi (Eluru), International Theatre Festival (Cuttack) and also been conferred the title ‘Natya Visharadha’ by Kalanjali Samstha.

Child Prodigy Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry

He is been imparting training in Kuchipudi dance from a very young age of 17 and has been well appreciated for conducting workshops under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resources and Department of Cultural (A. P).

He has composed many a solo items and note worthy among them being on Thillana’s, Tharanga’s, Annamacharya Keerthanlu, Thyagaraja Keerthanalu, etc. He has also choreographied ballets – Parvathi Parinayam, Rutu Samharam, Sri Padmavathi Venkateshwara Parinayam, Vachenu Alamelumanga, Navarasa dharuvus, Apsarasa Pooja Nrityam, etc.

He is revered for the roles played in traditional Kuchipudi Yakshaganams,  Kalapams and Pageti vesham.

Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry with his younger brother Vedantam Siddhendra Varaprasad (in female role)

He has performed as Prahlada, Hiranyakasipa, Davvarika in Bhakta Prahalda, as Shiva & Brungeeswara in Parvathi Parinayam and as Narada in Usha Parinayam.

When one meets Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry as a teacher, it literally strikes to see a relatively young performer who has taken up to teaching full time.

While asked about the same Sri Narasimha Sastry quickly added that one who has been a performer can teach better the nuances of stage performance to dancers. Further as one who grows in stature and personality one has to perform roles which suit and add credibility to the performance.

Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sasty Felicitated

He is known for his choreography skills and he adds that there is no need to change the choreographies of established artists / yakshaganams / ballets of yesteryears and also not to cross the boundaries set in the traditional system. However, one can improvise while making and presenting their own choreographies since there is lot of issues, aspects and space that is offered to the contemporary Kuchipudi artist to maintain the traditional framework  and explore the possibilities of furthering the boundaries.

Infosys Narayana Murthy felicitating young Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry

Contact Address:

Vedantam Satya Narasimha Sastry,
# 1-1-398/3, Flat No. 103,
Mahadev Mansion
Gnadhinagar
HYDERABAD 500 080.

Mobile: +91 99494 46144
Email: satyamvedantam.kuchipudi@gmail.com

Pasumarthi Kesava Prasad

Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad born in the year 1952 is a well known Kuchipudi dance Guru from the traditional kuchipudi dance families. His father is illustrious Late Sri Subramanya Sastry who is well revered for female personification roles in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam ad his is grandfather is yet another famous Kuchipudi Yakshaganam artist Late Sri Vedantam Ramakrishnaiah.

Sri Kesava Prasad, has been trained by Guru “Nrityavachaspati” Late Sri Vedantam Parvateesam,  Sri P.V.G. Krishna Sarma and Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. He has done is bachelors in Sanskrit, a Certificate & Diploma course on Kuchipudi dance.

Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad had a stint as a Dance assistant in Sri Siddhendra Kalashetram from 1978 to 1983. He has to his credit more than 1800 performances. He has a very majestic voice and his dialogue rendering and diction are well appreciated and captivating. He has enacted various roles in Kuchipuid Yakshaganam like that of Aniruddha, Lord Krishna, Madhavi, Indra, Chandamarkulu, Banasura, Balichakravarthi among others.

Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad

He has been an integral part of the entourage of famous kuchipudi yakshaganam artists like that of Late Sri Vedantam Rattaiah Sarma, Late Dr. Chinta Ramanadham, Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma, Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Padmasri Dr. Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma.

Currently he is the General Secretary of Akhila Bharata Kuchipudi Natya Kala Mandali, Kuchipudi offering a platform for kuchipudi artists to showcase their talent.

Sri Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad,
Trustee, Ramalingeswara Swamy Devastanam,
KUCHIPUDI 521 136
Movva Mandal, Krishna District,
Andhra Pradesh.

Email id: kuchipudibharthi@gmail.com
Mobile:  +91 99496 18846.

Young Chinta Ramamurthy

Chinta Ramamurthy as Lord Krishna

On Bhadra pada Sudda Padyami Harithasa Gothra to Chinta Narayanamurthy and Bharathi Pramila Rani in Kuchipudi village, Chinta Ramamurthy was born (June 15th, 1963).

From the age of twelve for four years he has learnt from Pasumarthy Venugopala Sarma the basics and Kuchipudi Yakshaganam. Furhter he learnt from Vedantam Rattiah Sarma  too and then for the next ten years he went to Kuchipudi Arts Academy, Chennai to learn eka patra kelika nrityam from Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. He has been part of the entourage of Kuchipudi Arts Academy and travelled widely to all parts of the world. He has performed in USA, France, Canada, etc as part of the World Tour.

He has played various roles in Kuchipudi ballets like Sri Pada Parijatham, Ardhanareeswaram, Chandalika, Rukmini Kalayanam, Srinivasa Kalayanam, Haravilasam, Kirtaarjuneeyam, Ksheera Saagara Madhanam, Ramayanam, Sri Krishna Parijatham, etc.

Chinta Ramamurthy as Balarama along with Chinta Ravi Balakrishna (Lord Krishna) in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam Sasirekha Parinayam.

Chinta Ramamurthy in Annamacharya, composed by Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

He has also played variety of roles in famous Kuchipudi Yakshaganam. As Anirudha  and Lord Krishna in Usha Parinayam, as Balarama in Sasirekha Parinayam, Brahmana in Gola Kalapam, etc.

Chinta Ramamurthy (Lord Krishna) with Pasumarthy Seshu Babu and Padmasree Dr. Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma (as Satyabhama) in Bhama Kalapam

He takes pride in having adorned different roles in various ballets and Kuchipudi Yakshaganam. Chinta Ramamurthy explains that all the modern and contemporary creations of Vempati Chinna Satyam of which he was part of had a very strong support base from that of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam and improvisation when it comes to dress, music, introduction of characters, story line, etc. If one closely observes one can see that the framework is same. Chinta Ramamurthy has to his credit over 800 performances.

Chinta Ramamurthy (left as Balarama) with Chinta Ravi Balakrishna as Lord Krishna in Sasirekha Parinayam

Chinta Ramamurthy as Indra

He is very grateful to have inherited such an invaluable art form from his ancestors and is extremely thrilled and very self contended to be performing under any capacity unmindful of any of other thought like money, fame, individual excellence.

For six years he worked in Jamshedpur as a dance teacher and he is currently working in Zilla Parishad High School in Kuchipudi and is also teaching Kuchipudi through a humble school of dance from home. Both his sons have taken up to Kuchipudi dance and continuing the rich tradition.

He claims that his motto of life is to protect, preserve, propagate and promote all that he has learned in Kuchipudi dance from his ancestors, Gurus and pass it on to the next generation. All his efforts are dedicated to this ideal without any expectation whatsoever. It is a collective effort to achieve and he wants to be a part of it any capacity that is warranted and offered for doing so.

Sri Chinta Ramamurthy,
1-112, Sivalayam Street,
KUCHIPUDI 521 136
Movva Mandal, Krishna District,
Andhra Pradesh.

Email id: satyach36@yahoo.com
Mobile:  +91 99664 46838.

D. Sridevi being conferred Doctrate by Poti Sreeramulu University for her thesis work.

D. Sridevi, born in the year 1972, maternally belongs to Bhagavathula family one of the torch bearer traditional families of Kuchupudi.

Sridevi had the fortune of being initiated to the art form through her Grandfather, esteemed Late Sri. Bhagavatula Rama Kotaiaha and later her dance training continued under her uncle Bhagavatula Sethuram. It is interesting to know as to how she got initiated to dance training by her illustrious grandfather, seeing Sridevi peeping from a small opening of the door when the dance classes was going on, her grandfather observing her keen interest, he started to teach her dance.  She recalls how her grandfather was a hero in her younger days, looking forward to be with him in the summer holidays.

Young D Sridevi

Sridevi is well qualified academically too having done her Bachelors in Science, Masters in Fine Arts – Kuchipudi, certificate course in Kuchipudi dance culminating in being conferred doctorate by Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University for her thesis work. Dr. Sridevi is also selected for Junior Research Fellowship, Central Ministry of Culture, New Delhi for three years. Incidentally, Sridevi is the first Doctrate from the distaff side in the Kuchipudi traditional family.

D Sridevi (right) with her Guru Bhagavatula Sethuram and her mother Mahalakshmi Sundari (from Bhagavatula family)

Sridevi apart from having performed in many prestigious programs, as a solo artist and as part of Ballets and Yakshaganams, is a very profilic writer and has many a publications to her credit.

Notable among them being:
- Her thesis “Yakshaganam Pradarsana Reethulu”,
- Oggu Katha – translated version of the original book Oggu Katha – Abhinaya Samanvayam (Chukka Sattaiah Beerappa Katha Chaturvidaabhinaya Charcha)
- “BLN Vyasaalu”the articles written by Sri Bhagavatula Lakshmi Narasimham.

Sridevi as Rathi

Sridevi is adept as a composer, teacher, judge when it comes to Kuchipudi and her compositions like Dance feature Ashta Lakshmi Stotram (an hour ballet), Dasaavataras & the evolution of species and “Poorvaranga Vidhi” as a dance feature are testimonial to her creativity.

Sridevi penchant for Kuchipudi Yakshaganam could be seen from her presentations on various forms of Yakshaganam of South India. Sridevi has to her credit lecture demos and paper presentation made in International seminars like FOSSILS, Second International Seminar and convention of Kuchipudi dance of Silicon Andhra.

Clippings of an informal talk on Kuchipudi Yakshaganam by Dr. D Sridevi.

In 1995, Sridevi established “Nrityanjali” – A school of Fine Arts after having gained rich experience as dance teacher in ‘Sri Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam’, ‘Keerthi Kala Niketan’ & ‘Jyothi Fine Arts Academy’. Her students enjoy the unique benefit of having a versatile Guru who is a performer, academician, writer and teacher

Contact address—

Dr. D. Sridevi,
29-468 / 1A. 1st floor,
New Vidyanagar, Neredmet Old P.S.,
Hyderabad 500 056
Mobile:+91 94900 47857,
Email:sridevi_drk@yahoo.com

Yeleswarapu Chalapathi Sastry

Yeleswarupu Venkata Rama Mohana Chalapathi Sastry, is one of the extremely gifted artist from the traditional families of Kuchipudi. He is blessed to have been initiated to the art form Kuchipudi Yakshaganam by his father Sangeet Natak Academy Award winner Guru Sri Yeleswarapu Nageswara Sarma, and further blessed to have Yakshagaana pitaamaha, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Guru Sri.Pasumarthy Venugopala Krishna Sarma, as his maternal uncle. The positive influence of Sangeet Natak Academy Awardees within the family can be seen from his demeanor and approach to the art form in all seriousness and earnestness.

Yeleswarupu Chalapathi Sastry - female personification

His foray into dance was natural as fish takes to water and right from an young age he has performed with aplomb in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam donning various diverse roles starting from Female personification, Satya bhama, Golla bhama he upto  Narada, Amarkudu, Ganapathi, Brungeeswara, Sutradhara among others. He has the honor of having been part of many a performance. He recollects as to how he was an integral part of his father’s dance teachings which has kept him in good stead as far as being a Guru of substance and values in  Kuchipudi art form in the later years.

He is also academically well qualified holding two Masters – one in Commerce and the other being a prestigious Masters in Performing arts (dance) apart from Bachelors in Education. He has founded a Kuchipudi dance academy in Hyderbad. – Sri Kanaka Durga Kuchipudi Dance Academy (most sought after by thronging youngsters of Hyderabad) apart from teaching dance at a national level school at Hyderabad- Bhavan’s Vidyashram.

It is no wonder that awards and accolades keep coming his way and he is conferred with prestigious awards and title “NAATYA KALA PRAPURNA”,  “NATYA KALA SHEKHARA”, “UTTAMA NATYA ACHAARYA” &   “UGAADI PURASKAARAM” from Government of Andhra Pradesh, India.

For his credentials and matured approach, Sri Chalapathy Sastry is one of the most sought after judges of various dance competitions and selection committees including that of Centre for Cultural for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT). His yeoman service in imparting training in dance & conducting Lecture demonstration is clearly enriching the present generation of Kuchipudi dancers from one of the important value based illustrious member of the traditional Kuchipudi family – the torch bearers of the genre Kuchipudi all these centuries from the quaint village – Kuchipudi.

Yeleswarupu Chalapathi Sastry - Female Personification

Chalapathi Sasty in action at a Lecture Demo

Chalapathi Sastry one of the last links to the treatise of the modern age Kuchipudi Yakshaganam, Guru Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry has presented interesting eye opening topics connected to the Great Guru for the benefit of all artists.

One is bound to hear a lot more from a simple but grand soul like Sri Chalapathi Sastry who still lives in the unalloyed sacred dancing environment and the same can be seen from the success met with by his student, his daughter Yeleswrapu Sarvani Lakshmi Shravanthi, already Young Ugadi Puraskar awardee, Gold medalist in Diploma Course in Dance & CCRT scholarship holder.

‘Learning dance form with sacred and divine thought and striving for excellence is the other side of the coin of success’ has been proved by this Father – Daughter duo in much the same way that the combination Chalapathy Sastry and his illustrious father had proved earlier.

Contact details:

Yeleswarupu Venkata Rama Mohana Chalapathi Sastry,   

                                                 M.Com., M.P.A. Dance., B.Ed.,

Founder Director,

Sri Kanaka Durga Kuchipudi Dance Academy,

Door No.8-3-966/8; Nagarjuna Nagar Colony,

Srinagar Colony Post,

Hyderabad-500 073

Mobile: +91 98661 62649.

Landline : 040 -23735985.

E-mail: yeleswarapu.chalapathisastry@gmail.com

Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya Sarma

One of the young bright stars on the Kuchipudi horizon, Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya Sarma at 31 years has already showcased his brilliant talent and is well on his way to add to the rich history of Kuchipudi and its genre Kuchipudi Yakshaganam.  His recital is near to perfect when it comes to postures, finishing sharp touches and a treat to the eyes of cynosure and purists.

Pasumarthy Murthyumjaya Sarma started his dance lessons from the age of six under his maternal grandfather, Nritya Vachasapathi Sri Vedantam Paravteesham, one of the doyen of Kuchipudi.  He is born to Sri Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad and Smt Gnana Prasunamba (daughter of Pasumarthy Subrahamany Sastry) on February18th, 1981. It can be easily seen that he had imbibed all the qualities of a great performer as a matter of birth right with lineage of two of the kuchipudi traditional families – Vedantam & Pasumarthy to boast off.

He is lucky to have intensive training from two of the most sought after Kuchipudi Gurus, Yakshaganam Kulapathi Sri Vedantam Rattiah Sarma and Sri Vedantam Radheshyam. To hone his skills further, he was under the tutelage of  Padma Bhushan Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

His performance bears testimony of having being groomed by the best in Kuchipudi art world and his ability to satisfy the purists and the art lovers at the same time with an aesthetic and captivating display.

Mruthyumjaya Sarma is academically too well qualified being Graduate of Arts from B.R. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad. He has earned a Diploma in Kuchipudi Nrityam in Kuchipudi Yakshagnam from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu Univerisy, Hyderabad. Currently he is pursuing Masters in Kuchipudi dance from the same University.

He has played major roles in Yakshaganams, Kalapams apart from excelling in Ekta pathra Kelikas – solo repertoire of Kuchipudi.

Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya (left) as snake man in Pagetivesham

The roles performed by him include as:

Narada (Mahishasura Mardini), Brihannala (Keechaka Vadha), Sutradhara & Madhavi (Bhamakalapam), Karmsomayaji(Golla kalapam),

Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya as Brihannala

Rakshasa (Bhaktha Prahlada), Shiva (Parvarthi Parinayam), Davvarikudu &Mantri (Usha Parinayam) & Balarama (Sasirekha Parinayam).

He has performed in various prestigious stages all over the country and abroad too. Being one of the most sought after performing artist, he is also very keen on imparting training to discerning students.

He is known for his strict adherence to everything traditional, the values, aesthetics, purity among all others that has been preserved for centuries by the traditional Kuchipudi families, be it in performance or teaching. His ability to hold the attention of the audiences without having to compromise on the core values as a performer, teacher, choreographer and nattuvanar is an asset for the Kuchipudi art world to show case its richness.

Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya Sarma - Solo performance

His performance, commitment, zest belies his age and a lot will be heard from this sincere gifted son of the Pasumarthy family in the years to come.

Pasumarthy Mruthyumjaya Sarma,

 Plot No; 183 Lalitha Nagar Colony

Opposite Jamai Osmania Railway Station

Secunderabad.

Mobile: +91 9908201453.

E-mail: pmjsarma@gmail.com

D S V Sastry

D S V Sastry, though not a direct descendant of the Kuchipudi traditional family, has been very closely associated in Kuchipudi village among his peers of the traditional families. The whole hearted prolific contribution to Kuchipudi and its genre Kuchipudi Yakshaganam more through his music has made the members of the traditional families to consider his arrival to the village as a God sent or sent by Siddhendra Yogi himself to fill the void witnessed in keeping the Kuchipudi Yakshaganam sangeetham – music flag flying high.

Being a part of the Kuchipudi village, it is all but natural that D S V Sastry has learnt Kuchipudi dance, Kuchipudi Yakshaganam music, mask making for dance, the whole gamut of arts related to Kuchipudi dance. His family has a distinct tilt to art with younger brother, Sri Dandibhotla Narayana Sastry too being a kuchipudi dancer and now one of the well renowned writer and his sister, a singer, is married to Sri Vedantam Ramalingam Sastry, who is also incidentally his mentor.

Born on August 29^th, 1973, D S V Sastry is basically a humble and sober person and lets his work speak. He is academically well qualified with Bachelor of Arts in Carnatic Music – Gold Medalist – from Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, ‘Sangeetha Alankar’ (equivalent to Masters) awarded by Akhila Bharata Gandharva Mahavidyalay Mandal, Mumbai.

He is fortunate to be trained in Carnatic music and Kuchipudi Sangeetham by Sangeet Natak Awardee & Kalaratna, Sri Pasumarthy Venugopala Sarma and is also well trained Kuchipudi dancer having learnt under illustrious Guru Sri Vedantam Radheshyam and Sri Vedantam Rattayya Sarma.

Sri D S V Sastry’s singing with the golden touch in his voice coupled with detailed raga elaboration soaked in rasa exhibiting his mastery over raga and the technique of rendering ensures an absorbing and enthralling performance. As much as being traditionalist in his approach, Sri D S V Sastry is a musical phenomenon to whom perfection of tone and execution come as spontaneously with free and unfettered flow of ideas paving way for breathtaking performances.

Currently he is part of the Department of Dance, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad as a Vocalist.

He has one of the unique records of having been part of either the music or nattuvangam of almost all prestigious contemporary leading Kuchipudi artists of the country.

The list of musical concerts and performances reveals the opportunity provided to him to exhibit his talent and earn accolades from most part of the country and score of countries abroad spread over the length and breadth of the Globe right from Asia to the Americas.

He has been part of various Dance festivals – Khajuraho, Konark, Sangeetha Natak Academy, Millenium, SICA, Mudra (Kerala), Uday Shankar Dance, Kuchipudi Mahostavs among others, while he has performed in prestigious Sabhas and Academies including that of Music Academy, Chennai,  ICCR concerts, Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthana, Visaka Music and Dance Academy among others.

Recognized as a B grade Artist in Lalita Sangeetham by AIR, he has written and composed various keertanas and tillanas apart from creating a new raga – ‘Sripriya’.

He is well known for his contribution to Kuchipudi Yakshaganam sangeetham.

The list of music compositions (100 in all) made by him for various Kuchipudi Yakshaganam, ballets, kelikas, etc are:

For his wholehearted approach and significant contributions made to Kuchipudi art form, he was recently conferred with the award ‘Chinta Krishnamurthy Yakshagana Yuva Sutradhara Puraskar’ by Siddhendra Yogi Devalaya Abhivruddhi Committee, Kuchipudi during the Siddhendra Yogi Natyakalotsav, 2012. 

A clipping from the lecture demo he handled at the Siddhendra Yogi Natyakalotsav, 2012 with regard to nuances of composing Kuchipudi Sampradhaya sangeetham is uploaded at:

His penchant for composing music for Kuchipudi Yakshaganam and dance is reflected from the excellent captivating compostions already made by him winning not only award and rewards but also facilitating to expand his repertoire and the resultant increased opportunities in both traditional art field and the contemporary plethora of media avenues – television, motion pictures, etc.

Sri Dandibotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry is a wholesome product of the Kuchipudi village with the blessings, teachings and encouragement of all the members of the traditional Kuchipudi families, what with the ability to dance, sing, compose, choreograph, teach and above all preserve the traditional approach to art and yet improvise with an aesthetic blend coming naturally to him, one would expect a lot more from this prolific artist a product of Kuchipudi in the years to come.

Dandibotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry,

 FR1, Samskriti Prangan,

Baba Nagar, Nacharam

Hyderabad – 500076, A.P.

Mobile:  +91 97018 93394

Email :  dsvsastry@gmail.com

Vanaja Dasika

Vanaja Dasika, neice of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam is the second daughter of Dasika Jagannadha Rao and Vempati Savithri (younger sister of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam).

Having been part of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam’s household, Vanaja, no wonder has become an accomplished Kuchipudi Classical dance performer, Choreographer, vocalist and a teacher of both music and dance.

Vanaja has done her Masters in Music from Madras University, where she has also done a thesis on music aspects of Kuchipudi dance form apart from holding a Bachelors degree in Economics.

She began dance training under the watchful and appreciative eyes of her Uncle, the legendary Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam from a very young age and has undergone intensive training in the sprawling Kuchipudi Arts Academy, Chennai. She had toured all the world along with Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam’s entourage with the honour of performing key roles in most of the ballets and dance dramas of Kuchipudi Arts Academy, Chennai.

She has performed at major dance festivals, stages like Kennedy Center, Washington DC, USA, Paris Quartier D’ete Festival, Indo-Australian Convention, Chennai, Music Academy, Chennai, Kuchipudi Mahotsav, Mumbai, Sangeeta Natak Academy, Mumbai, Surya Festival & Swati Tirunal Festival, Trivandrum, Chidambaram Festival, Siddhendra yogi Mahotsav, Kuchipuid, Dept of Culture, Hyderabad among others.

Vanaja learnt music from Guru Bhagavatula Sitarama Sarma at Kala Peetham, Chennai and quickly became proficient at it.

Vanaja Dasika, versatile dancer and singer.

Being a talented dancer and a trained musician, she became an integral part of almost of all the productions of Kuchipudi Arts Academy, Chennai. Her experience in being a vocalist for dance performance landed her various opportunities to accompany many a leading artists of the time and became one of the most sought after vocalist. This can be seen from the fact that she has provided lead vocal support in the prestigious Festivals like Konark & Khajuraho apart from having bagged recording projects from Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam and others.

She trains students in both dance and music and conducts workshops for providing insights to be a complete artist with her unique style of expression and teaching technique. Vanaja has been seen conducting workshops both in India and abroad over the years for both dancers and vocalists.

Vanaja Dasika

Among her choreographies, her creation based on the compositions of Samavedam Shunmukha Sarma called Sivapadam received wide acceptance and rapturous reviews.

Vanaja is a commendable performer, choreographer, teacher and one of the torch bearers of Kuchipudi Art form with a bent of mind to blend both tradition and innovation and appease to taste of purists and novices alike.

She sincerely believes that fine arts like dance and music are very much interrelated and it is very much imperative that a dance student should also necessarily gain adequate knowledge in music. This will help particularly Kudhipudi dancers where specific emphasis is given on vachika abhinayam and the additional knowledge of theory of dance and music will enable the students to appreciate traditional approach and easily improvise as per requirements.

Vanaja Dasika,

Canberra, Australia.

Email: vanaja716@yahoo.com

Guru Shri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma born in Sharvana Poornami of Manmadhanamma Telegu calendar (02.08.1955) in Kuchipudi village to Chinta Radhakrishnamurthy and (Vallabha Joysula) Seethamahalakshmi is one of the revered Guru from the traditional Kuchipudi family.

Born in a family of six children (one elder & younger brother and three elder sisters), he started learning dance from his father at the age of four. He later learned Kuchipudi Yakshaganam from the great Guru Chinta Krishnamurthy, his father’s younger brother and Guru P V G Sarma.

During the same period, Guru Vedantam Parvateesam used to teach to all the young dancers in the temple at Kuchipudi, Chinta Krishnamurthy seeing Chinta Adinarayana Sarma’s dance talent offered him to play the role of Prahalad in an Yakshaganam.

Soon after that Guru P V G Krishna Sarma had a Yakshaganam with all the child artists of the village, thus he made his first female personification role as Chitralekha in Usha parinayam.

In 1961, Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao and Mahankali Kameshwara Sarma, pleased with his performance in the Kuchipudi Yakshaganam – Dasavataram, presented him with a One Rupee coin.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma with his Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam

Those were the days when seeing the talent of the boys in the Kuchipudi village, the various Gurus vied with each other in teaching and transmitting their knowledge to the avid youngsters.

His performances in Kuchipuid Yakshaganam as a child artist were very much appreciated and in Srikakulam Guru PVG Krishna Sarma, looking at his performance presented him with a silver medal.

His portraying of Stree vesham which is one of the essential component of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam almost came to an end when during a performance in Avanigadda, there was an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction (his makeup prop for portraying female), leading Chinta Adinarayana Sarma to take a decision to stop enacting female personification.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma, saw in early 1960’s Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam choreographed and directed ballet Ksheera Saagara Madhanam in which Vempati also performed as Lord Shiva. This particular event made  telling impact on Chinta, appreciating the fresh and modern approach of  Vempati Chinna Satyam.  Chinta looked upto Vempati as his ideal icon in his dancing career in all aspects, right from the dance, choreography, direction, performance, work ethics, etc.

After completing Masters in Commerce, he landed a job in Guntur, but soon after, the inner urge to continue the work of the traditional families of Kuchipudi as against the general well being offered by a job ensured that he didn’t continue being in a job. In 1983, he took to rigorous training from Kuchipudi Kalakshetra for three years to be a Kuchipudi teacher. From then on his orientation has been more on teaching and choreography though he continued performing.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma (extreme left) learning from Vempati Chinna Satyam

Guru Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma explains about Kuchipudi Yakshaganam;

Chinta Adinaryana Sarma is known for his prolific contribution by way of excellent and unique choreographies. He worked within the boundaries of the tradition and improvised stage techniques as early as 1970’s and 1980’s using settings of ‘Surabhi’ Drama, known for their magnificent settings.

The list of his choreographies includes:

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma (left) in Bhakta Prahlada

-Prahalada

-Usha Parniyam

-Sugreeva Vijayam

-Ramadoss Vijayam

-Girika parniyam from Vasu Charitra

-Sakuntala Dushyantham  - With class eight students to commemorate the International Children’s year, well acclaimed.

-Varodhini parvaraakyam – Looking at this Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, remarked that ‘Chinta                                       Adinarayana Sarma is following MY footsteps’.

-Natya hella

-Dhaniya Kailsam

-Shiva Geetha

-Shivapada Manjeera nadam

-Ugadi hella

-Sankranthi hella

-Swantara Jyoti

-Pillalu korina challani rajyam

-Anaganagaa oka adavi

-Palleturu pilla

-Godhavari

-Yerra gulabhi putindhi

-Ushodayam – birth of Christ depicted in an Hindu tradition dance form was a very challenging exercise.

-Jayajaya Durga – tarangam which is one of the most famous solo item.

-Sapthaswaralu & Movva –Message based dance drama to teach the artist as to how to live in harmony like the sapthaswaras. While sapthaswaras are independent when seen from isolation, but when together they cause miracles right from entertainment to curing ailments.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma (centre) in a Dance ballet

Under aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Cultural Affairs, two dance ballets, ‘Andhra Kala Vaibhavam’ in 1998 and ‘Telugu Vaibhavam’ in 2004, he has played important roles apart from his choreography. Both the works was performed at more than 65 places throughout the world.

‘Natya Visharadha’, ‘Deva Parijatham’, ‘Natya Vigyan’ are some of the awards and titles conferred upon him over the years.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma wants to revive the yesteryear classics of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam since all of them are path breaking classics and provide enlightenment to the modern era.

He has recently directed one of his principle disciple Lakshmi Bhavani, in an unique experiment wherein online teaching modules under the name Kuchipudi Natya Swaymabodhini has brought out. It shows his penchant for taking Kuchipudi dance form to the modern youth, a person who works tirelessly to preserve tradition yet not averse to using modern age leading edge technology in dance with clarity and vision.

Guru Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma teaching Sapta tala natakalu.

He started an institution for teaching dance, “Sri Radhakrishna Kuchipudi Natyalayam”. He worked for Telugu University for three year from 1989 and now he is Lecturer in Kuchipudi dance in Govt. College of Music and Dance, Hyderabad. While he has trained hundreds of students over the years, Chinta says that he is still looking that elusive master piece as his contribution for dance in both as student and choreography.

He is a very humble person; he avers that being part of Chinta family, Grace from God, blessings of Gurus and parents coupled with cooperation & sacrifice from his family has greatly helped him to become what he is today.

Chinta Adinarayana Sarma,

A 252, Phase-II,

Vanasthallipuram

HYDERABAD 500 070.

Mobile:  +91 93903 55603

+91 98490 66619

Landline: 040 2006 1136

Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma

Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma is an academically well qualified, good performing artist, also an adept organizer is above all an youngster with a clear vision and self responsible member of the noted Tadepalli lineage of Kuchipudi village.

 Born on August 28^th, Sarvana Suddha Padyami to Tadepalli Subba Rao & Late Munukutla Adilaxmi in Kuchipudi village. His great grandfather (paternal) Tadepalli Peraiya Sastry is Guru of Vemapti Chinna Satyam, and his grandfather (maternal) Munukuntla Viswanatha Sastry was Kanchipuram Asthana Ganapatti.

Till Peraiya Sastry, for almost 300 years history points that his family was primarily supporting accompanists (mridangam, nattuvangam and literature) for sampradhaya Bhagavathamelam families and contributing to dance from Sanksrit, Andhra basha and literature angle. From Peraiya Sastry, dance teaching and learning took primary seat in the family.

His paternal grandfather Tadepalli Chandraiah is famous for his Kuchipudi Pagateveshams and Kalapams. The environment set at home being that of dance throughout in all the acitivites, Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma took to Kuchipudi dance right from young age itself.

At the age of eight he started learning from Vedantam Radheshyam when he had the ritual both nose and ear piercing done, one of the primary requirement for donning stree vesham. Then he went on to learn the nuances of stree vesham from one of the experts, Padmasri Guru Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma. The influence of his friend Guru Vedantam Venkatanaga Chalapathi facilitated him to take interest on Kuchipudi Yakshaganam.

His other influence, Late Chinta Ramanathan was instrumental in Tadepalli taking up with keen interest / indepth approach in enriching his knowledge on dance and literature related aspects as his special interest.

He is a ‘Dwivedi’ having become Gana patti of Krishna Yajur vedam and Moolam in Atharvana vedam. He has done his Bachelors in Oriental languages from Machlipatnam and Masters in Telugu literature from Venkateswara University, in  Sanskrit from Kendriya Vidyapeeth, Tirupathi and Jyothishyam from Benares University. Presently he is pursuing for his Doctrate from Benares University on Temples and dance in relationship to the Vedas (why dance is called as Panchamavedam).

Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma is working at Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam as Veda pandit. He is also avidly involved in promoting, preserving and protecting Kuchipudi Yakshaganam being a principal Secretary of Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam organization started for the same purpose. The Bhagavathamelam essentially compromised of the dancers from the younger generation of the Kuchipudi traditional dance families who are torch bearers of the art form for centuries. This group is into self sustained efforts in learning the Kuchipudi Yakshaganams, documenting, promoting and taking steps to preserve for posterity with the responsible feeling of bearing the mantle of doing so being born in the rich cultural heritage families of Kuchipudi village.

While he has learnt all the roles of almost all the principal Kuchipudi Yakshaganams – as a tradition for all the artists of the Kuchipudi village – from parevesa daruvus to mangalam, he has played various roles which ideally suits the dancer. He has played various roles in Kuchipudi Yakshaganams, namely as Lord Shiva in Usha Parinayam, as Bhama in Bhama Kalapam, as Uthra Kumara in Sasirekha Parinayam, Basmasura in Mohini Basmasura among others.

Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma in Stree vesham

He has been conferred with the title “Natya Ratna”, “Abhinava Kala Sagara”. “Samanvaya Puraskar” and “Simha Talatam” by Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma for his dance, while the Seer of Kanchi Mutt, Jayachandra Saraswathi gave a Golden Bracelet for his proficiency in Vedas.

One other facet of Tadepalli, is his passion and soulful involvement in promoting heritage, parampara, dance, Sanathana darma by way of lecture demos targeting youth in colleges and universities throughout the country with a view to drive home the importance of ancient values and modern technology for a better and purposeful living.

TADEPALLI SATYANARAYAN SARMA,

Secretary, Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam

Kuchipudi Village

Movva Mandal

Krishna District

Andhra Pradesh

PIN 252 136.

Emal: tadepallisatyanarayanasarma@yahoo.com

tadepalli.bhagavathamelam@gmail.com

Mobile:  +91 80084 42215.

+ 91 86712 52211

Sai Deepika Pasumarthi

Pasumarthi Sai Deepika, has a great lineage, born to Sri. Pasumarthi Seshababu, “Sangeetha Natyacharya”, a renowned Kuchipudi Classical Dancer by profession and one of the great exponent of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam and granddaughter of  Kuchipudi Legend Sri Pasumarthi Venugopala Krishna Sarma.

She is trained in Kuchipudi dance by her illustrious father while she is also a well trained Vocalist of Carnatic music having learnt from Guru Sri Komanduri Seshadri.

Sai Deepika Pasumarthi

Sai Deepika has a Certificate in Carnatic music (Vocal) apart from having to her credit Diploma in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam apart from having finished her Masters in Kuchipudi dance from the University of Hyderabad.

Her multifarious talent is most sought after in the Kuchipudi Dance world and she has performed in many prestigious Festivals as an individual dancer and also part of eminent Kuchipudi artist’s performances like that Padmasri Dr. Shobha Naidu and Hamsa Awardee Smt. Swathy Somanath.

Sai Deepika Pasumarthi in "Ardhanariswaram"

Her portrayal of the following characters speaks volumes of her versatility:

• “Parvathi” in Shivapadam at Ravindra Bharathi — written by Samanvaya Saraswathi Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu and music and dance composed by my Father and Guru Sri. Pasumarthi Seshababu.
• “Sathyabhama” in Bhamakalapam at Shilparamam, Hyderabad.
• “Girija and Manmadha” in Girija Kalyanam (Parvathi Parinayam) at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.
• “Sita” in Lava Kusa” Charitham (Kuchipudi Yakshaganam).
• “Leelavathi” in Bhakta Prahalada”  (Kuchipudi Yakshaganam).
• “Gopika” in Gopila Krishna ballet.
•  “Ardhanareeswaram”.

Some of her noteworthy performances with Padmasri Dr. Smt. Shobha Naidu are:

• Navarasa Natabhamini.
• Sarvam Sai Mayam.
• Rajarajeshwari Ashtakam.
• Kalyana Srinivasam.
• Many solo performances.

She has performed with Hamsa Awardee Smt. Swathy Somanath in:

• Draupadi.
• Sharanam Govindam.
• Kamasutra.
• Rasagopalam.
• Mahishasura Mardhini.
• Many solo performances.

Since her “Rangapravesam” on July 12^th 2007, she has performed in many a prestigious national Festivals which includes Nimapara Festival (Odissa), Tanisha youth festival (Kuchipudi village), Dasara (Puttaparthi).

 Sai Deepika is also an accredited dancer with Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste of IWCF (Indian World Cultural Forum). Part of the traditional Kuchipudi dance families, even at such an young age she has specialized in Choreography and Nattuvangam and won many a laurels and titles.

Her titles include:

•  “Nrutya Kowmudhi” from Abhinaya Nrutya Bharati, Eluru (2009).
• “Natya Kowstubha” from Bingi Malleswari Memorial Trust (2010).
• “Nrutya Bhushan” from Bhilainagar, Kalibari, Chatthisgarh (2011).

Contact Details

Sai Deepika Pasumarthi
D/O Sri Seshababu Pasumarthi

H. No. 18-506/1, Mallikarjuna Nagar,

Street No. 8, Malkagiri,

Hyderabad – 500 047

Andhra Pradesh, India

 Mobile: +91 81791 43703

 Landline:  040 2705 7747

Email: pasumathi.artistap@gmail.com,

Nagalakshmi Bhagavatula

Nagalakshmi Bhagavatula is a native of the Kuchipudi Village, Krishna District Andhra Pradesh born to Bhagavatula Haranath and Yarasi Sukanya.

Nagalakshmi, is a law graduate from Indian Law Society, Pune and is currently working in the Legal Department of a leading software firm. She will be pursuing Masters in Law from the University of Pennsylvania, USA starting July 2014.

A rare blend of both an accomplished versatile dancer and a successful professional career. She is very dedicated and has a purposeful approach when it comes to performing and propagating Kuchipudi art form a quality imbibed from the Kuchipudi traditional family who have been the torch bearers of the art form for centuries.

She started learning dance at the tender age of 4 under her Guru Patnam Siva Prasad and performed her ‘Arangetram’ at Kuchipudi in the temple of Balatripurasundari as early as March 1995. She has given more than 600 performances since then.

Nagalakshimi, is a law graduate from Indian Law Society, Pune and is currently working in the Legal Department of a leading software firm apart from pursuing Masters in Law.

Apart from being a performer par excellence she has also started Purna Mudra Class of Kuchipudi Dance in Hyderabad in July 2013 with a view to propagate the art form.

Some of her Performances

Nagalakshmi performing at Cochin 2014

- International Kuchipudi Dance Convention held at Cupertino, California, June2008.
- Part of the team of 318 dancers who a created a world record for the World’s largest Kuchipudi dance event recorded in the GUINNESS Book of World Record.
- TANA conference at Chicago in July 1995.
- Event at Greater Indianapolis Telugu Association, Indiana, USA.
- Tiroochanoor and Tirumala Bramhotsavas, October 2008.
- Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Pittsburg, USA.
- Birthday celebrations of Sri Satya Sai Baba, Puttaparthy organsied by AP cultural committee.
- Dance and Music Festival organized by Andhra Music Academy.
- German Delegates Conference, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad.
- Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanotsavam, Mantralayam.
- Vedadhyana Kendram Vedic Festival, Bangalore.
- Andhra Association Ugadi Celebrations, Pune.
- “Chittor Nagayya Puraskaram Celebrations”, Chennai.
- World Dance Day Celebrations, May 2013 Bangalore.
- 199th Monthly programme organized by Radha Madhava Rasaranjani, Guntur in March 2013.
- Brahmotsavam Celebrations October 2012 organized by Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, Tirupathi.
- International Kuchipudi Dance Festival – May 2012, Hyderabad.
- Internation Dance Day Celebrations, Bangalore 2013.
- Inaugural Kalakar Utsav at Bangalore, April 2014.
- National Symposium, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad – 2014
- Naatya Kousthubh Nrithyotsav. Cochin – 2014

Places of performances

- Chicago, Indianapolis, Pittsburg, Ohio, California in US.
- Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Tirupathi, Mantralayam, Kuchipudi, Vishakapatnam, Guntur, Guntakal, Kadiri, Guntur, Puttaparthy, Anantapur & Cochin.

Nagalakshmi (right) as 'Satyabhama' in the dance drama 'Sri Krishna Parijatham'

Awards
- Won 9 national prizes in All India Competitions organized by Navya Nataka Samithi, Hyderabad from 1995 to 2005.
- Won 2 national prizes along with Natya Mayuri award in All India Competitions organized by Kalanilayam,Chilkaluripeta.
- Won 2 first prizes and Nrutya Kala Mani title in All India Competitions organized by Samskara Bharathi on the occasion of 50 years of Indian Independence.
- Won around 25 prizes in various state level competitions.

Titles

• Natya Mayuri (Kalanikethan, Chilakaluripeta, AP),
• Nrutya Kala Mani (Samskara Bharathi, Hyderabad),
• Natya Lakshmi (Greater Indianapolis Telugu Association, USA),
• Nrutya Manjari (Telugu Association of Central Ohio, USA),
• Ananta Aanimutyam (Sahithi Gagan Mahal Trust, Penukonda, AP),
• Nrutya Kowmudhi (Abhinaya Nrutya Bharathi, Eluru, AP)
• Naatya Druma (Naatya Kousthubh Dance Festival, Cochin

http://youtu.be/PneiWoT9AjE

Appreciation and Honors:
Received appreciation letters from Padmabhushan Dr.Vempati Chinna Satyam,
Mr & Mrs.Dhanunjayan (Bharatanatyam dancers), Vedhadyana Kedram,Bangalore and Vedantam Radheshyam, Kuchipudi

Contact Details
nagalakshmi29@gmail.com

Tadepalli Saikrishna

Tadepalli Saikrishna born on August 12^th, to Tadepalli Suryanarayana Murthy and Rajeswari in Kuchipudi village is uniquely blessed to be born into an illustrious family of Tadepalli Peraiya Sastry and Vempati Venkatanarayana, one of the Kuchipudi Trios.

Sai, started his tutelage at the age of Five years Five months Fifth day under Vedantam Radheshyam as his wont for the members of the traditional Kuchipudi families. Later he continued to learn the art of Kuchipudi under Padmasri Dr. Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma.

Under the guidance of his main inspiration, his elder brother Tadepalli Satyanarayana Sarma, he has finished Certificate course in Kuchipudi from Siddhendra Kalakshetra, Kuchipudi. He has done bachelors in commerce and currently pursuing Masters.

Tadepalli Saikrishna as Lord Shiva

Currently he is being groomed by Dr. Vedantam Ramalinga Sastry, Vedantam Venkatanagachalapathy, Chinta Ravibalakrishna in performing various challenging characters including female personification roles like Sakhi, Vethrahasta, Parvathi, Chitralekha, Ministers of Kingdoms, Rakshasas (Demons), Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, etc in Kuchipudi Yakshaganams and Kalapams performed by Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam.

Tadepalli Saikrishna as Goddess Parvathi in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam

He has performed in various prestigious Festivals and events like Tirumala Brahmasotav, Sangita Natak Academy, Endowments program, Silicon Andhra Guinness Records events, Akila Bharatha Kuchipudi Natya Kala Mandali Utsav, Siddhendra Yogi Festivals at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ujjain, Agra among others.

Being part of the Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam, he is very active and skilled when it comes to event management and conducting Festivals at Kuchipudi and other places.

Tadepalli Saikrishna as Minister in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam

He is sincerely involved in initiatives of the Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam when it comes to propagating, preserving and protecting the art form as a responsible member following the ideals of the torch bearers’ family of the Kuchipudi art form.

TADEPALLI SAIKRISHNA,

Member, Kuchipudi Bhagavathamelam

Kuchipudi Village

Movva Mandal

Krishna District

Andhra Pradesh

PIN 521 136.

Email: saikrishna.kuchipudi@gmail.com

Mobile:  +91 99669 50077.

D. Sridevi being conferred Doctrate by Poti Sreeramulu University for her thesis work.

D. Sridevi, born in the year 1972, maternally belongs to Bhagavathula family one of the torch bearer traditional families of Kuchupudi.

Sridevi had the fortune of being initiated to the art form through her Grandfather, esteemed Late Sri. Bhagavatula Rama Kotaiaha and later her dance training continued under her uncle Bhagavatula Sethuram. It is interesting to know as to how she got initiated to dance training by her illustrious grandfather, seeing Sridevi peeping from a small opening of the door when the dance classes was going on, her grandfather observing her keen interest, he started to teach her dance.  She recalls how her grandfather was a hero in her younger days, looking forward to be with him in the summer holidays.

Young D Sridevi

Sridevi is well qualified academically too having done her Bachelors in Science, Masters in Fine Arts – Kuchipudi, certificate course in Kuchipudi dance culminating in being conferred doctorate by Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University for her thesis work. Dr. Sridevi is also selected for Junior Research Fellowship, Central Ministry of Culture, New Delhi for three years. Incidentally, Sridevi is the first Doctrate from the distaff side in the Kuchipudi traditional family.

D Sridevi (right) with her Guru Bhagavatula Sethuram and her mother Mahalakshmi Sundari (from Bhagavatula family)

Sridevi apart from having performed in many prestigious programs, as a solo artist and as part of Ballets and Yakshaganams, is a very profilic writer and has many a publications to her credit.

Notable among them being:
- Her thesis “Yakshaganam Pradarsana Reethulu”,
- Oggu Katha – translated version of the original book Oggu Katha – Abhinaya Samanvayam (Chukka Sattaiah Beerappa Katha Chaturvidaabhinaya Charcha)
- “BLN Vyasaalu”the articles written by Sri Bhagavatula Lakshmi Narasimham.

Sridevi as Rathi

Sridevi is adept as a composer, teacher, judge when it comes to Kuchipudi and her compositions like Dance feature Ashta Lakshmi Stotram (an hour ballet), Dasaavataras & the evolution of species and “Poorvaranga Vidhi” as a dance feature are testimonial to her creativity.

Sridevi penchant for Kuchipudi Yakshaganam could be seen from her presentations on various forms of Yakshaganam of South India. Sridevi has to her credit lecture demos and paper presentation made in International seminars like FOSSILS, Second International Seminar and convention of Kuchipudi dance of Silicon Andhra.

Clippings of an informal talk on Kuchipudi Yakshaganam by Dr. D Sridevi.

In 1995, Sridevi established “Nrityanjali” – A school of Fine Arts after having gained rich experience as dance teacher in ‘Sri Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam’, ‘Keerthi Kala Niketan’ & ‘Jyothi Fine Arts Academy’. Her students enjoy the unique benefit of having a versatile Guru who is a performer, academician, writer and teacher

Contact address—

Dr. D. Sridevi,
29-468 / 1A. 1st floor,
New Vidyanagar, Neredmet Old P.S.,
Hyderabad 500 056
Mobile:+91 94900 47857,
Email:sridevi_drk@yahoo.com

Yeleswarapu Chalapathi Sastry

Yeleswarupu Venkata Rama Mohana Chalapathi Sastry, is one of the extremely gifted artist from the traditional families of Kuchipudi. He is blessed to have been initiated to the art form Kuchipudi Yakshaganam by his father Sangeet Natak Academy Award winner Guru Sri Yeleswarapu Nageswara Sarma, and further blessed to have Yakshagaana pitaamaha, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Guru Sri.Pasumarthy Venugopala Krishna Sarma, as his maternal uncle. The positive influence of Sangeet Natak Academy Awardees within the family can be seen from his demeanor and approach to the art form in all seriousness and earnestness.

Yeleswarupu Chalapathi Sastry - female personification

His foray into dance was natural as fish takes to water and right from an young age he has performed with aplomb in Kuchipudi Yakshaganam donning various diverse roles starting from Female personification, Satya bhama, Golla bhama he upto  Narada, Amarkudu, Ganapathi, Brungeeswara, Sutradhara among others. He has the honor of having been part of many a performance. He recollects as to how he was an integral part of his father’s dance teachings which has kept him in good stead as far as being a Guru of substance and values in  Kuchipudi art form in the later years.

He is also academically well qualified holding two Masters – one in Commerce and the other being a prestigious Masters in Performing arts (dance) apart from Bachelors in Education. He has founded a Kuchipudi dance academy in Hyderbad. – Sri Kanaka Durga Kuchipudi Dance Academy (most sought after by thronging youngsters of Hyderabad) apart from teaching dance at a national level school at Hyderabad- Bhavan’s Vidyashram.

It is no wonder that awards and accolades keep coming his way and he is conferred with prestigious awards and title “NAATYA KALA PRAPURNA”,  “NATYA KALA SHEKHARA”, “UTTAMA NATYA ACHAARYA” &   “UGAADI PURASKAARAM” from Government of Andhra Pradesh, India.

For his credentials and matured approach, Sri Chalapathy Sastry is one of the most sought after judges of various dance competitions and selection committees including that of Centre for Cultural for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT). His yeoman service in imparting training in dance & conducting Lecture demonstration is clearly enriching the present generation of Kuchipudi dancers from one of the important value based illustrious member of the traditional Kuchipudi family – the torch bearers of the genre Kuchipudi all these centuries from the quaint village – Kuchipudi.

Yeleswarupu Chalapathi Sastry - Female Personification

Chalapathi Sasty in action at a Lecture Demo

Chalapathi Sastry one of the last links to the treatise of the modern age Kuchipudi Yakshaganam, Guru Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry has presented interesting eye opening topics connected to the Great Guru for the benefit of all artists.

One is bound to hear a lot more from a simple but grand soul like Sri Chalapathi Sastry who still lives in the unalloyed sacred dancing environment and the same can be seen from the success met with by his student, his daughter Yeleswrapu Sarvani Lakshmi Shravanthi, already Young Ugadi Puraskar awardee, Gold medalist in Diploma Course in Dance & CCRT scholarship holder.

‘Learning dance form with sacred and divine thought and striving for excellence is the other side of the coin of success’ has been proved by this Father – Daughter duo in much the same way that the combination Chalapathy Sastry and his illustrious father had proved earlier.

Contact details:

Yeleswarupu Venkata Rama Mohana Chalapathi Sastry,   

                                                 M.Com., M.P.A. Dance., B.Ed.,

Founder Director,

Sri Kanaka Durga Kuchipudi Dance Academy,

Door No.8-3-966/8; Nagarjuna Nagar Colony,

Srinagar Colony Post,

Hyderabad-500 073

Mobile: +91 98661 62649.

Landline : 040 -23735985.

E-mail: yeleswarapu.chalapathisastry@gmail.com

Yanamandra Sunanda Prashanth

Yanamandra Sunanda Prashanth, born on 16^th June 1989, was initiated into dance by her grandfather Sri Pasumarthy Krishnamurthy, a stalwart from the Traditional families of Kuchipudi. Sri Pasumarthy Krishnamurthy, grandson and disciple of Sri Chinta Venkatramiah garu, was cine dance director. With the constant support of her family, she has been able to pursue her passion in dance. She was professionally trained in Kuchipudi dance from the tender age of 9 years under the tutelage of Sri Pasumarthy Vithal and Smt. Bharathi.

Sri Vithal and Smt. Bharathi belonging to the Traditiaonal Kuchipudi family have trained her for 10 years right from basics in dance.  She started to give a professional form of her dance under the expert guidance of her Guru Dr. K. Uma Rama Rao at Hyderabad. She is currently taking dance and academic trainig under Smt. Sudha Sridhar of Nartana Academy, Bangalore.

Sunanda Arangetram

Sunanda, an MSc in International Business from University of Leeds, UK gave her first stage performance on Sri Rama Navami at Sri Rama Mandir, Janakpuri at New Delhi in 2001. She presented her Arangetram at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad, on April 3^rd, 2009, which was well received. She has been fortunate to perform at various dance festivals like Delhi Tourism, Purana Quila, New Delhi, Music College at Vijayawada, Siddhendra Yogi Dance Festival 2012 at Kuchipudi village, World Telugu Conference, December 2012 at Tirupati, Mysore Dussehra Festival on September 25^th 2014, Naada Neerajanam in Tirumala and Koti Deepotsavam event conducted by Bhakti TV. Her recent performances among others, include Cuttack International Dance and Music Festival 2015, Rani Abakka Dance Festival 2015 at Mangalore, World Dance Day May 2015, Kuchipudi Vaibhavam – Telugu Federation, Nellore.

For Sunanda, who was recently conferred the National Nritya Shiromani award, Kuchipudi dance is an inheritance, tradtion, passion, profession and a promise to continue the tradition of Kuchipudi classical dance inspired by her grandfather Guru Sri Pasumarthy Krishnamurthy, a role model from childhood. In her pursuit, she is fortunate to be supported by her family and is  keen and dedicated to humbly contribute her mite to take the art form to greater heights .

Contact Address:

1195, Brig. Gokhale Road

BEML Layout, 3^rd stage

Raja Rajeswari Nagar

Bangalore 560098

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Chinta Sitaramanajaneeyulu the “Yakshagana Sarwabhowma”.

Chinta Sitaramanjaneyulu

Chinta Sitaramanajaneeyulu, was born in the Telugu year Dundubhi Nama Samvatsaram (1922), Bhadrapada Shudda Ashtami day to Chinta Narayanamurthy and Bhagavathula Sitamma at Kuchipudi village in one of the most illustrious traditional families of Kuchipudi art form.

He is the youngest of the family and had four brothers, Chinta Adinarayana, Chinta Radhakrishnamurthy, Chinta Venkateswarulu (adopted by Darbha family) and Chinta Venkatarathnam and two elder sisters, Jyothi Bhagavatula and Bullama.

His formal education is only upto fifth grade and in his eighth year the legendary ‘Kuchipudi Yakshagana Pittamaha’ Chinta Venkatramayya his father’s elder brother started his formal dance training after performing a puja at the temple. It was indeed a very fortunate auspicious start with the blessings of one of the trinity of Kuchipudi that has stood in good stead for Chinta. He learnt the art form from his father and also from his two elder brothers Chinta Adinarayana and Chinta Radhakrishnamurthy.

He continued his dance training from Vedantam Parvetsam and Vempati Venkatanarayana in his teenage years. His first performance was as early as in his 11^th year in the famous Chinta Vari melam as Prahalad in the Kuchipudi Yakshaganam ‘Bhakta Prahalad’. He was good at essaying female personification roles too in the Kuchipudi Yakshaganams. He showed special interest in Ashtapadi, Javali and Tarangas too under the guidance of his elders and also learnt Nattuvangam and vocal music.

Chinta Sitamananjaneylu abinaya

Chinta Sitaramanjaneeylu is adept in translating his God given gift as an artist and the boon to have been at a time when the Gurukul system delivered a complete artist. He has acquired the Sastra parigynan from his father’s elders brothers, Chinta Venkatramayya and Krishnaiah, and nuances on dance, music, Kuchipudi Yakshaganam, history of the art form, samskrita rupakam from his Gurus during the training period as part of his grooming.

Having being bestowed with the opportunity to learn from the best in Gurukul system, Sitaramanajaneeyulu performed varied challenging roles with aplomb and passed on the same diligently to the next generation whole heartedly.

He moved to Gudivada town in Krishna district to teach dance in the Kuchipudi Kalakshetra. Chinta married Jonnalgadda Bharathilakshmi from Moova Kodali village in the year 1949.

He comes across as a very tranquil, peaceful artist who has achieved a lot but yet having enormous ‘Guru Bhakthi’ a rarity these days and stands before us a role model, simple but colossal giant as a versatile artist, sincere Guru, a very passionate lover of dance and above all a very grateful person who had a fulfilling journey in Kuchipudi art form.

In the process, his deep understanding of the art form Kuchipudi and ways and means to reach out a wider spectrum of dance practitioners and audience for over five active decades bears testimony to his love, dedication and commitment to the art form.

The list of characters portrayed by him in Kuchipudi Yakshaganams, kalapams touring far and wide with Chinta Venkatramaiah’s ‘Chinta vari melam’ speaks volumes of his ability to adapt to different roles including that of female personification roles for which he was honoured with title, “Siddendra Nartana Puraskar”, from “Kuchipudi nruthya bharathi” and awarded “Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma Smarak Puraskar.”

Female personification roles unique to Kuchipudi Yakshaganam was one of his forte and he is known for his portrayal of Usha in ‘Usha Parinayam’ , Leelavathi in ‘Prahalada’, Chitralekha in ‘Gayopakhyanam’, Mohini in ‘Mohini-Rukmangadha’, Satyabhama in ‘Bhama Kalapam’ and the milk maid in ‘Golla Kalapam’

The repertoire he has worked out over the years is remarkable and his choreographies, dance dramas bear a unique style which he acquired over a period of time. He lays great stress on Satvika abhinaya while giving Nritta its due importance in his choreographies. He has produced some well appreciated dance drams like “Sagarasoudham” (History of Nagarjuna sagar), Bhakta-Kannappa, Bheeshma pratigna, Mana Bharatam-Maha Bharatam and SvatantrodyamaSamvakaram with imagination and deep understanding of how the dance-dramas should be presented for the contemporary audience without diluting the classical style.

He has three daughters and two sons and he was very liberal in his approach to life. He never forced the art form on any of his children. The first son didn’t show any interest in arts and he left him alone while his second daughter Seethalakshmi was very much interested and so he taught her at time when no girls from the traditional families where into dance per se. As a person with modern outlook he also encouraged his daughter Seetha to take up the art form seriously and sensing the great Yagna that Kuchipudi Legend Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam undertook to spread the art form worldwide, Chinta dedicated whole heartedly his youngest son Chinta Siva Adinarayana who was interested in learning the art form, for the great work. Chinta Sitaramanjaneeylu is always for knowledge sharing and he did constantly encourage the younger generation to learn the art form in the traditional unadulterated system.

The details of his family are as follows:

-      His first son, Kasi Viswanathan Sastr worked with AP Electric Board got married to Pasumarthy Subbulakshmi from the Kuchipudi traditional family and they have one son and one daughter.

-      His first daughter Madhumati married Bhagavatula Ramasubramanian from the traditional family and they have one son and one daughter who is being trained by Chinta is into performance too.

-      His second daughter Seetharatham who learnt dance from him got married to V Viswanatham and they have one son Sai Kiran and one daughter Nagalakshmi.

-      His third daughter Umarani is married to Nagaraj and they have one son.

-      His second son Siva Adinarayana who is his disciple and also got guidance of Vempati Chinna Satyam, married to Tulasipriya and they have one son.

Chinta Ramanajnayeelu receiving Sangita Natak Akademi award from the President of India

Chinta Sitaramanajaneeyulu’s contribution to Kuchipudi art form primarily in Kuchipudi, Gudivada and Nagarjuna sagar is well perceivable and appreciated. Chinta Sitaramanajaneeyulu a Sangita Nataka Akademi awardee is popularly known as “Yakshagana Sarwabhowma”.

D S V Sastry

D S V Sastry, though not a direct descendant of the Kuchipudi traditional family, has been very closely associated in Kuchipudi village among his peers of the traditional families. The whole hearted prolific contribution to Kuchipudi and its genre Kuchipudi Yakshaganam more through his music has made the members of the traditional families to consider his arrival to the village as a God sent or sent by Siddhendra Yogi himself to fill the void witnessed in keeping the Kuchipudi Yakshaganam sangeetham – music flag flying high.

Being a part of the Kuchipudi village, it is all but natural that D S V Sastry has learnt Kuchipudi dance, Kuchipudi Yakshaganam music, mask making for dance, the whole gamut of arts related to Kuchipudi dance. His family has a distinct tilt to art with younger brother, Sri Dandibhotla Narayana Sastry too being a kuchipudi dancer and now one of the well renowned writer and his sister, a singer, is married to Sri Vedantam Ramalingam Sastry, who is also incidentally his mentor.

Born on August 29^th, 1973, D S V Sastry is basically a humble and sober person and lets his work speak. He is academically well qualified with Bachelor of Arts in Carnatic Music – Gold Medalist – from Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, ‘Sangeetha Alankar†(equivalent to Masters) awarded by Akhila Bharata Gandharva Mahavidyalay Mandal, Mumbai.

He is fortunate to be trained in Carnatic music and Kuchipudi Sangeetham by Sangeet Natak Awardee & Kalaratna, Sri Pasumarthy Venugopala Sarma and is also well trained Kuchipudi dancer having learnt under illustrious Guru Sri Vedantam Radheshyam and Sri Vedantam Rattayya Sarma.

Sri D S V Sastryâ€s singing with the golden touch in his voice coupled with detailed raga elaboration soaked in rasa exhibiting his mastery over raga and the technique of rendering ensures an absorbing and enthralling performance. As much as being traditionalist in his approach, Sri D S V Sastry is a musical phenomenon to whom perfection of tone and execution come as spontaneously with free and unfettered flow of ideas paving way for breathtaking performances.

Currently he is part of the Department of Dance, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad as a Vocalist.

He has one of the unique records of having been part of either the music or nattuvangam of almost all prestigious contemporary leading Kuchipudi artists of the country.

The list of musical concerts and performances reveals the opportunity provided to him to exhibit his talent and earn accolades from most part of the country and score of countries abroad spread over the length and breadth of the Globe right from Asia to the Americas.

He has been part of various Dance festivals – Khajuraho, Konark, Sangeetha Natak Academy, Millenium, SICA, Mudra (Kerala), Uday Shankar Dance, Kuchipudi Mahostavs among others, while he has performed in prestigious Sabhas and Academies including that of Music Academy, Chennai, ICCR concerts, Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthana, Visaka Music and Dance Academy among others.

Recognized as a B grade Artist in Lalita Sangeetham by AIR, he has written and composed various keertanas and tillanas apart from creating a new raga – ‘Sripriyaâ€.

He is well known for his contribution to Kuchipudi Yakshaganam sangeetham.

The list of music compositions (100 in all) made by him for various Kuchipudi Yakshaganam, ballets, kelikas, etc are:

For his wholehearted approach and significant contributions made to Kuchipudi art form, he was recently conferred with the award ‘Chinta Krishnamurthy Yakshagana Yuva Sutradhara Puraskar†by Siddhendra Yogi Devalaya Abhivruddhi Committee, Kuchipudi during the Siddhendra Yogi Natyakalotsav, 2012.

A clipping from the lecture demo he handled at the Siddhendra Yogi Natyakalotsav, 2012 with regard to nuances of composing Kuchipudi Sampradhaya sangeetham is uploaded at:

His penchant for composing music for Kuchipudi Yakshaganam and dance is reflected from the excellent captivating compostions already made by him winning not only award and rewards but also facilitating to expand his repertoire and the resultant increased opportunities in both traditional art field and the contemporary plethora of media avenues – television, motion pictures, etc.

Sri Dandibotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry is a wholesome product of the Kuchipudi village with the blessings, teachings and encouragement of all the members of the traditional Kuchipudi families, what with the ability to dance, sing, compose, choreograph, teach and above all preserve the traditional approach to art and yet improvise with an aesthetic blend coming naturally to him, one would expect a lot more from this prolific artist a product of Kuchipudi in the years to come.

Dandibotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry,

FR1, Samskriti Prangan,

Baba Nagar, Nacharam

Hyderabad – 500076, A.P.

Mobile: +91 97018 93394

Email : dsvsastry@gmail.com