About Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is one of the major classical dance forms of India, and the classical dance tradition from the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Deriving its name from the village of Kuchipudi, where it was originally practiced as dance-drama, it has evolved over the centuries into a systematized form with a structured style and technique based on the classical dance treatises Natyasastra and Abhinaya Darpanam. While the traditional dance-drama form continues to be practiced, Kuchipudi is now more popular as a solo dance form.
The rise of Kuchipudi into a major classical dance form of India with an international reach and popularity can be attributed to Guru Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam, whose tireless efforts and lifelong commitment have propelled Kuchipudi on to the world stage. This site is therefore a tribute to the legendary master, and the many legends that paved the way for the ascent of Kuchipudi.
The rise of Kuchipudi into a major classical dance form of India with an international reach and popularity can be attributed to Guru Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam, whose tireless efforts and lifelong commitment have propelled Kuchipudi on to the world stage. This site is therefore a tribute to the legendary master, and the many legends that paved the way for the ascent of Kuchipudi.
Lakshmi Bhavani KonduruMy name is Lakshmi Bhavani Konduru, teacher, performer, and an eternal student of Kuchipudi dance. Learning my first Kuchipudi steps at the feet of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam master garu, I went on to train under gurus Sri Mahankali Mohan garu, and Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma garu . I then obtained a Masters Degree in Performing Arts (Kuchipudi) from University of Hyderabad (1997).
I have over 20 years of experience in practicing, performing, and teaching this delightful dance form. With a background in counseling psychology, I have also used dance movements as a therapeutic technique to help children with special needs, to great effect. |
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My Gurus
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Dr. Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam Garu
I took my very first Kuchipudi steps under the guidance of the legendary master Padma Bhushan Dr. Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam garu at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Hyderabad. The contemporary popular Kuchipudi dance form owes its ascendancy to the pervasive influence of Vempati master garu. He refined the traditional style by introducing greater sophistication and cleaner resolution of dance movements, created countless new jati-s and dance patterns, and enriched the Kuchipudi repertoire with scores of jatiswarams, tillanas, and tarangams. As a disciple in his tradition, I follow his distinctive style, and perform and teach in Vempati’s style.
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With the legendary Vempati master garu
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Dr. Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma
My main Kuchipudi Guru, under whose guidance I learnt the intricacies of Kuchipudi dance and deepened my knowledge of Kuchipudi repertoire is Dr. Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma. I owe my evolution from an early learner to a proficient performer and teacher to my dear guru Dr. Sri Chinta master garu, under whose guidance I continue to train.
With Guru Chinta master garu as a young learner
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Gurubhyo Namaha – seeking the teacher's blessings before beginning the shooting for Kuchipudinatya Swayambodhini
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Kuchipudinatya Swayambodhini- Guruvandanam. A student's tribute to her teacher.
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Dr. Sri Chinta Adinarayana sarma garu is one of the well-respected gurus from the traditional Kuchipudi families. He is the son and student of guru Sri Chinta Radhakrishnmurthy garu, under whose guidance he started learning Kuchipudi at the age of four. Later, he continued his dance journey with Legendary Guru Sri Chinta Krishna Murthy garu. Gaining and honing his dance skills at the very seat of learning, in the Kuchipudi village master garu evolved from a child artist in Yakshaganams, to a nationally and internationally acclaimed performer, choreographer, and teacher of Kuchipudi. He taught at Telugu University for three year from 1989-91, and retired from the Government College of Music and Dance, Hyderabad.
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Dr. Sri Chinta Adinarayana Sarma is the main force and guiding spirit behind the creation of our Kuchipudi Natyaswayambodhini - a series of self-learning video modules from which you can learn the basic Kuchipudi steps.
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I also trained briefly under the guidance of Sri Mahankali Mohan – another stalwart guru from the traditional Kuchipudi family well-respected not only for his performances and choreographies, but also for his Nattuvaangam ability. He has been praised as Nrutya Sutradhaara Siromani and Nrutya Sutradhaara Ratna for his highly-acclaimed Nattuvangam support to several distinguished Kuchipudi performers.
I completed a formal Master’s Degree in Performing Arts (Kuchipudi Dance) from University of Hyderabad (1997), where I got a chance to refine and perfect my skills under renowned gurus – Dr. Sri Nataraja Ramakrishna, Dr. PSR Appa Rao, Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Sri Kala Krishna. I enjoyed the privilege of learning from Prof. Anuradha Jonnalagadda, Dr. Aruna Bhikshu, Ms.Priya Karthikeyan, and Prof. Pasumarthi Ramalinga Sastry.
I completed a formal Master’s Degree in Performing Arts (Kuchipudi Dance) from University of Hyderabad (1997), where I got a chance to refine and perfect my skills under renowned gurus – Dr. Sri Nataraja Ramakrishna, Dr. PSR Appa Rao, Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Sri Kala Krishna. I enjoyed the privilege of learning from Prof. Anuradha Jonnalagadda, Dr. Aruna Bhikshu, Ms.Priya Karthikeyan, and Prof. Pasumarthi Ramalinga Sastry.
I offer my obeisance to all my gurus who have taught me what I know today.