Tribute to the Late Dr. Pappu Venugopala Rao: A Loss to the Indian Art Community

Words : M.Bharathi

The Dance India team extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving family of Dr. Pappu Venugopala Rao, who passed away unexpectedly. Dr. Rao’s demise has left a profound void in the realm of art, as he was not only a distinguished scholar and musician but also a prolific writer whose contributions were unparalleled. His unwavering commitment to the enrichment of Indian arts has left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness.Hailing from a heritage deeply rooted in South Indian culture and native to Vizianagaram, he unfortunately did not receive due recognition for his outstanding contributions, despite being a highly esteemed and thoroughly evaluated artist within the Chennai artistic community. Possessing a wealth of distinguished expertise and refined understanding, he stood as an exemplar within the realm of dance. The loss of such a luminary is deeply felt, particularly in light of his recent achievement in publishing a groundbreaking work on Yakshagana in Hyderabad.