g u r u
v e m p a t i c h i n a s a t y a m
The name
Vempati Chinna Satyam has become synonymous with "Kuchipudi"
today in India and all over the world. He dedicated his life to
preserve, promote and propagate this classical art of India. A
charismatic performer, a brilliant choreographer and an
inspiring teacher, he has been largely responsible for the
revival of Kuchipudi dance in the post-independent India.
Born on October 15, 1929 in Kuchipudi village in the state of
Andhra Pradesh, Vempati began dancing from a very early age,
following the centuries old tradition of the families in the
village. Over a period of two decades he received training from
such famous teachers as Tadepalli Perayya Sastry, Vedantam
Lakshminarayana Sastry and Vempati Pedda Satyam.
An original and unique artist, Dr. Satyam has choreographed and
directed several major dance dramas and more than hundred solo
dances. The audiences in America have witnessed and enjoyed many
of these dramas during the tours by his troupe in the eighties
and nineties. Srinivasa Kalyanam, Rukmini Kalyanam, Chandalika,
Ramayanam, Hara Vilasam, Ksheera Sagara Madhanam,
Ardhanareeswara are some of the dance dramas that left a lasting
impression on the minds of immigrant Indians in this country.
Dr.
Satyam received numerous honors, awards and titles from various
institutions in India devoted to the promotion of art and
culture. President of India honored him with the title "Padma
Bhushan" for his contribution to the flourishing of the fine art
of Kuchipudi dance. His mission is to make Kuchipudi a
world-renowned art form.
To accomplish this mission the Kuchipudi Art Academy was
established in 1963 in Chennai (Madras), India. The Academy has
residential facilities for the students to stay and receive
intensive training that includes not only a rigorous curriculum
in dance, but also lessons in classical music and the language
of Sanskrit. More than a thousand students have been trained
since the inception of this academy. Branches of this academy
are established in cities such as Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and
Calcutta. Several of his disciples run Kuchipudi dance schools
in Australia, England, France, Germany and the United States.
Atlanta is fortunate to have two of his famous students,
Sasikala Penumarthi and Revathi Komanduri
To continue the work of this academy uninterrupted and to
provide stability to this institution of teaching and producing
of dance- dramas, to provide avenues for research and creative
innovations, VCS Kuchipudi Art Foundation was established. Among
the stated goals of this foundation is the continuing effort to
provide maximum exposure to Kuchipudi in India and abroad.
Training students from all walks of life without regard to their
ethnicity, gender, region or nationality is its mission.
