A STERLING CELEBRATIONS OF KUCHIPUDI
Sri Sai Natraja Academy of Kuchipudi (SSNAK) led by Dr. P. Rama Devi, the Director and Secretary, celebrated their 28th anniversary in a splendid way on 27th December, 2017 at Ravindhra Bharathi Auditorium, Hyderabad. The glorious evening started with the tradition of lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, Chief Guest of the of function was Dr. A. Anitha Reddy Principal of Kasturbai Gandhi Degree & PG College for Women, Secunderabad, Guests of Honour were Mr. Sri Atluri, Head of Technology, New York Stock Exchange, New York (USA), Swati Atluri (Gundapuneedi) Director of Siddhendra Kuchipudi Art academy, New Jersey (USA), Sri. Vikram Kumar Bathina, Editor-in- Chief of ‘The Dance India Magazine’, Visakhapatnam and Deepa Narayanan Shashindran, Director, Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Benagaluru. The official report of the academy was articulated by its Director and Secretary.
The cultural programmes commenced with the Poorva Rangam, Vinayaka Kowthavam and performance for the song ‘Vinayaka Ninu Vina Brochutaku’, Geetham in Shanakarabharana Ragam and Adi Talam composed by E.V. Rama Krishna Bhagavatar.
The students of the academy performed “Jaya Jaya Ramanadha” from Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini in Nata Ragam and Jhmapa Talam. This was followed by the performance for ‘Swathi Thirunal Keerthana’ in Neelambari Ragam and Adi Talam, ‘Jathiswaram in Kalyani Ragam and Adi talam, ‘Annamacharya Keerthana’ Deva Devam Bhaje’ in Hindola Ragam and Adi talam, ‘Muthuswami Deekshithar Keerthana’ “Hiranmayeem Lakshmim” in Lalitha Ragam and Adi talam, ‘Tharangam’ “Alokaye Sree Bala Krishnam” from Sri Krishna Leela Tharangin in Jhanjuti Raga and Adi talam, ‘Mysore Vasudevacharya Keerthana’ “Brochevarevarura” in Khamas Raga and Adi talam, Thillana in Hindola Ragam and Adi talam. Their performance and fantastic foot work mesmerised the audience with their facial expressions. For all these performances, Natatuvangam was played by Dr. P. Ramadevi, Swetha Prasad for Vocal, Renuka Prasad for Mrudangam, Chandra Rao for Violin, Uma Venkateswarlu for Flute.
The main segment of the celebrations involved felicitations to Sarala Kumari, Classical Dance exponent in Kuchipudi, Nedunuri Syama Krishna for Music , Siripalli Nageswara Rao for Mrudangam, Ravi Kiran Savanur for Flute, Sai venkatesh (Bengaluru) for Art Promotion.
The program was concluded with a formal vote of thanks by A.P. Nivedita, Principal of Nagpur Branch. The programme was co-ordinated by Vachaspathi Murali Krishna, percussion by Srikanth, make-up by Surabhi Kesavaram, costumes & make-up by Sai Arts Praveen Kumar. Overall, the event was a great anniversary celebration to be remembered by the academy.
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