Smrutyanjali - A Kuchipudi Dance Presentation: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR SMRUTYANJALI - A KUCHIPUDI...

On the occasion of the 28th death anniversary of Gurukulapathi Late Bhagavatula Rama Kotaiah, Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam is presenting a group dance presentation in Kuchipudi style called Smrutyanjali, on 9th September, at Sri Thyagaraya Gana Sabha. All the performers are the disciples of Nandi awardee and legendary dancer Bhagavatula Sethuram, also the choreographer of the recital.

The presentation starts with a Daruvu on Lord Vinayaka by Aparna, followed by a Ramadasu keertana on Dashavatara by Nalini, Draupadi Manasamrakshana by Keerthana, Seetha Kalyanam by Bindu, Jandhyala Papayya Sastry's Pushpavilapam by Sindhu, Dhanasree Tillana by Lasya, Annamayya keertana by Mohan and Raasaleela by M Ramakrishna and Chandrashekar.

The orchestra ensemble for the recital is Bhagavathula Sethuram with the nattuvangam, A Sarada Reddy and Amalapuram Kanna Rao on vocals, S Nageshwar Rao on the mridangam, Subbalaxmi on the violin, and Dattatreya with the flute. The credits for the effects and make-up will go to Sridharacharya and Varma respectively.

The special guest invitees are Dr. T Gouri Shankar, Director Incharge, Intl. Telugu Centre, Telugu University; Padmasri Dr. Sobha Naidu, renowned Kuchipudi dancer and Director of Kuchipudi Art Academy; and T Madhu, Director, Turbomachinary Group of Industries.

Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam was started in 1958 by Late Bhagavatula Rama Kotaiah, and got registered in 1962. The institution has, over a period of time, produced many renowned artistes and ballets. Following in those footsteps, this tradition is being spread to all corners of AP, and across the globe, by his disciple and son, Bhagavatula Sethuram.

Sethuram is an Asst. Professor in the Department of Dance at the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, and is a recipient of the Nandi Award for his excellent choreography and performance of the Kuchipudi ballet Geethagovindam. He has choreographed many outstanding dance ballets, like Ramayana, Bhagavadgeeta and Girija Kalyanam. He has also contributed his art to social welfare, by directing ballets like Lakshmana Rekha and War & Peace that deal with atrocities against women.

He has been awarded the Saraswati Award, the Prathibha Puraskaram, the Ugadi Puraskaram, the Nrithya Kinnera Award by the Delhi Telugu Academy and the Excellence Award by the Andhra Maha Sabha in Mauritius. He has performed in various European countries, USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai, Sharjah and most recently in South Africa, in addition to giving numerous performances in various cities and towns of India.

Please contact Bhagavatula Sethuram at 98484-66351 for further details.