g u r u
v e m p a t i c h i n a s a t y a m (1929-2012)
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 dance 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 choreographed and
directed several major dance dramas and more than hundred solo
dances. Audiences in America witnessed and enjoyed many
of these dramas during the tours by his troupe in the 1980s
and 1990s. These dance dramas included Srinivasa Kalyanam, Rukmini Kalyanam, Chandalika,
Ramayanam, Hara Vilasam, Ksheera Sagara Madhanam,
and Ardhanareeswara.
Dr.
Satyam received numerous honors, awards and titles from various
institutions in India devoted to the promotion of art and
culture. The President of India honored him with the title "Padma
Bhushan" for his contribution to the flourishing of the fine art
of Kuchipudi dance.
To accomplish his mission to make Kuchipudi a world-renowned art form, Dr. Satyam established the Kuchipudi Art Academy 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
at the Academy since its inception. Branches of the Academy
have been established 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 host his popular student Sasikala Penumarthi, who herself is transmitting the art form to hundreds of students.
The VCS Kuchipudi Art Foundation was established in 1998 to continue the uninterrupted work of the Academy in teaching and production
of dance dramas, and to provide avenues for research and creative
innovation. Among
the stated goals of the 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.
