Sometime in 1974, Vedantam Parvateesam designed a flag for the dance form of Kuchipudi. It featured a sugarcane stalk and a pink flag with Satyabhama’s braid.
Last December, to commemorate 50 years of the Kuchipudi flag, hereditary Kuchipudi guru and founder of Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society Vedantam Venkata Naga Chalapathi Rao conceptualised the Kuchipudi Natyapathaka Swarnotsavulu in Kuchipudi village in Andhra Pradesh, where the art form was born around the 1300s. Rich tributes were paid to Vedantam Parvateesam for his contribution to the art form.
Kuchipudi Bhagavatulu at Kuchipudi Natyapathaka Swarnotsavulu held in Kuchipudi village | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The event brought together students, performers and academicians. The mornings commenced with prayers at the Balatripurasundari Ammavaaru Ramalingeswara Swamy temple followed by a soulful Nagara Sankeertanam.
Kuchipudi Yakshagana legend Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma led a workshop focussed on bhavabhinaya and musicality of Kuchipudi Yakshagana.
There were also insightful seminars by the Kuchipudi Bhagavatulu and other senior artistes.
Noteworthy performances included a Kuchipudi Yakshagana by students of Pasumarthi Seshu Babu in Rama Natakam, ‘Mohini Bhasmasura’ by students of Chinta Ravi Balakrishna and Vempati Chinna Satyam’s ‘Ksheera sagara madhanam’ by students of Chavali Balatripurasundari.
Dancers at the celebration in the Indian Embassy, Washington DC | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The festival’s finale was the unveiling of a 50-foot stupa and the hoisting of the Kuchipudi Natyapathaka.
Celebrations were also held at the Indian Embassy, Washington DC, in association with Kuchipudi Kala Nilayam and the Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society
It featured North America-based artistes showcasing the beauty of the dance formi, commencing with ‘Vande vande vaani bhavani’, the Kuchipudi patriotic song written and tuned by Vedantam Parvateesam, followed by excerpts from the drama tradition, both Kuchipudi Yakshagana and Nrityarupakas.
Published - February 05, 2025 04:32 pm IST
