Enjoy the winter in a traditional style, at the Kuchipudi Festival being organised by Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University from 2nd to 4th December, at Ravindra Bharati.
For the last 3 years the annual Kuchipudi Festival was held at Kuchipudi's hometown, in Krishna district, from where the dance takes its name. This year it has shifted venue to Ravindra Bharathi, to mark the Telugu University's silver jubilee celebrations.
Upcoming and established practitioners of classical dance will present 10 performances, individually and in groups over 3 days. Kathak forms such as Muktasri and Manipuri will be performed by dancers from Delhi. The diverse range of artists includes younger exponents like Ajaykumar from Vijayawada and veterans such as Padma Sri awardees Vanashree and Jayarama Rao.
The idea of the fest is to encourage those who are trying to make a name for themselves and honor those who already have done so. Also, veteran Gurus will be felicitated for their contribution in Kuchipudi's evolution. Seminars and demonstrations on December 3 and 4 will see Kuchipudi experts and scholars talk about classical and folk traditions within Kuchipudi, as well as current experimental attempts across the world. Some dance forms will be demostrated as well.
Padmabhushans Raja and Radha Reddy will receive this year's Sri Siddhendra Award for Classical Dance from Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who is also inaugurating the festival. Kuchipudi gurus Acharya J Anuradha, Acharya P Ramalinga Sastri, O Ranagamani and Prasunna Rani will also be felicitated during the festival.
The schedule for the festival is as follows:
2nd December:
05:30pm: 2008 Visheta Puraskarotsavam & Sri Siddhendra Yogi Nartana Puraskaram
06:30pm: Kuchipudi By Dr. Alekhya Punjala
3rd December:
10:00am: Seminars & Demonstrations In Kuchipudi
06:30pm: Kuchipudi, Kathak and Manipuri Dance Performances
4th December:
10:00am: Talks On Kuchipudi
Please contact the Department Of Culture at 2323-3672 for further details.