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.