“Renowned Kuchipudi dance guru Vempati Chinna Satyam passed away”

This news was perceived by the artists, the gurus and the connoisseurs as a greatest loss to the Kuchipudi art form. The recipient of the third highest civilian award- the Padma Bhushan, Vempati’s dedication towards Kuchipudi was evident through his magnetic choreographies and many noteworthy disciples that he has shaped over the years. He can rightly be called the Vishvakarma of this divine art form, owing to the beautiful structure and framework that he had laid to the Kuchipudi tradition without sacrificing its purity. He was the person whose sole efforts made the Central Government recognize Kuchipudi as a classical dance form. Hailing from the small village named Kuchipudi, Vempati established the Kuchipudi Art Academy at Madras in 1963 with the goal of teaching this traditional art form. This Godfather’s struggle in transforming Kuchipudi from merely a dramatic tradition into a classical dance form truly indicated the renaissance of this art that enjoys an Indian classical dance form status now. He toured numerous countries around the world with his students performing bounty of ballets that earned him great accolades. Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, “Master garu” as he is fondly called, has indeed left behind with the dance fraternity; a great responsibility of carrying over the Kuchipudi art form that which has had a rebirth through him. Though his physical presence can hardly be felt in this world, Vempati Chinna Satyam has found a space for himself in the annals of the cultural tradition of Andhra Pradesh.

METIER

Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer
Dance teacher and choreographer
Director, Divyanjali School of Classical dance and music.

MENTORS

Kuchipudi

Padmabhushan Dr.Sri. Vempati Chinna Satyam

Sri. Mosalikanti Jai Kishore

Bharatanatyam

Smt.Kalanidhi Narayanan(Abhinaya)

Sri. J. Suryanarayana Murthy

EMINENCE & ECLATS EARNED

· Nritya kala Bharathi by Samskara Bharathi,Hyderabad

· Yuva Kala Bharathi by Bharat Kalachar,Chennai

· Natyacharya,Indian Fine Arts,Chennai(twice)

· Nritya Kalaivani by Nrityanjali Trust,Chennai

· Gold medal at the yuva utsav,West Bengal for a Kuchipudi performance

· Nritya Sadhana puraskar by Akhila Bharathiya Sanskritik Sangh,Pune

· Natya Mayuri by SSRPH Kala Peetam

· Natyakala Dharshini

· Guru Kishora Sundaram by Bharathanjali Trust,Chennai.

Academic Attributes

Ø M.Phil. in Bharathanatyam

Ø M.A Bharathanatyam

Ø M.A Kuchipudi

Ø B. A. Music

Ø ‘A’ Grade ( Doordarshan Kendra - Chennai )

Ø Diploma in Bharathanatyam

Ø Diploma in Creative Movement Education

Ø Lower Examination in Dance ( Tamil Nadu Govt.,)

Expertise exhibited

As a Dancer

Arangetram 1985

Doordharshan Kendra Since 1988

Performer in Taj Groups Since 1989

South Africa

Tour 1991

Mahamariamman Koil (Bangkok) 1994, 1995 & 2000

Won Gold Medal at Yuva Utsav - National level 1996

Singapore

Tour 1996

‘Kuchipudi Nrityotsav’ conducted by Sangita Natak Academy of

Delhi and Department of culture, Govt., of Andhra Pradesh

‘Ugadi Puraskar’ Chennai 1997

‘Spirit of Freedom’ Chennai, Hyderabad 1997

‘Nrityakala Bharathi’ - National Level Title award and gold medal

given by Samskara Bharathi, Hyderabad 1997

‘Deekshidar Day’ - Indian fine Arts, Chennai 1997 & 1998

Solo performance in Mamallapuram Dance Festival

conducted by the Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu. 1999, 2000,2009,2010,2011

Choreographed and performed Dance Drama ‘Krishna Leela’

in France (Re - Union) with 80 Students of France 1999

Choreographed and performed ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in London 1999

Contemporary presentation ‘Vandematharam 2000’ 2000

Luxemburg - Food and Dance Festival at Le Royal Hotel 2001

Performed in leading TV Channels - Sun TV, Jaya, Raj, Vijay

“Semozhli Maanadu”- Coimbatore 2010

“Thanjai Priya Koil 1000^th Year Dance Festival” – Chidambaram 2010

“Delhi Day Celebrations” – Festival of India at Dilli Haat, INA 2011

“Konark Dance Festival” -Orissa 2010

“Indian Dance Alliance”- Chennai

‘A’ Graded artiste in Kuchipudi- Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai 2011

“Natyanjali” – Chidambaram, Dance Festival 2004, 2006, 2011

NCPA’s Mudra Dance Week 2011

As a Teacher

Dance Teacher under RASA, Chennai 1994 - 1995

Dance Teacher Vipanchee, Chennai 1994 to 1996

Dance Teacher, Sivan Arts Academy of Papanasam Sivam 1998

Conducting Divyanjali Dance School - Chennai Since 1992

Senior Dance Teacher at Kalpakkam Dance School Since 2000

As a Choreographer

Pannum Bharathamum

Laya Thrayam

Nritya Maala

Thrayee

Kutrala Kuravanji

Krishna Leela

Navarasa Naayagi

Ramayanam

Dashavatharam

Jathigalin Sangamam

Viswamitra

Raghavendra

Mohini Bhasmasura

Poorna Gnanam

Navagraha Nayagargal (About Nine Planets)

Pancha Bhutham

Hanuman Chalisa - Solo

Vandemataram 2000

Sagarasangamam 2002 for the Coast Guards of India

Jaunty Voyages (or) Voyages

South Africa - 1991

Thailand – 1994,1995,1996,2000,2012

Singapore - 1998

Re-Union (France) – 1997, 1998,1999,2002,2004

Luxemburg - 2000

England(London) – 1999,2006

Australia – 2011, 2012

Other Activities

Lecture Demonstrations:

· BHA-RA-THA (Bhava raga thalam) – Explaining the nuances of dance through various slokas in various ragas set to five thalas.

· LAYA RASA – The ten incarnations of lord Vishnu explained through
LAYAM (Rhythm).

· LEC - DEM at Trichy.

Outstanding Artists accompanied

Smt.Alarmel valli

Smt. Shantha Dhananjayan ( Bharatakalanjali )

Dr. Sri M. Balamurali Krishna ( Vipanchee )

Smt. Ambika Kameshwar (RASA)

Sri. M.V. N. Murthy (Siva Foundation)

Smt. Prathibha Prahalad ( Prasidha Foundation )

Smt. Krishna Kumari Narendhran ( Abinaya Natyalaya )

Smt. Radhika Surjit (Trio Sister)

Innovations

ü Jai Hanuman

ü Krishna Leela

ü Nrityamala

ü Moondrum Moondrum Moondrum

ü Sagarasasangham

ü Seevaga chintamani

ü Puratchi Maandar

ü Laya Nrityam

ü Pannum Bharathamum

ü Ramana Vaibhavam

ü Shakthiyin Veeram

ü Thrayee

ü Laya Thrayam

1) JAI HANUMAN

The Base theme for the production of “Jai Hanuman” is from a popular work Of Saint Tulsidas, Hanuman Chalisa.This dance ballet centres on Hanuman,the deity known for his devotion,sacrifice,dedication and one who is considered embodiment of steadfast piety. It illustrates Hanuman’s birth, childhood, and various incidents in Ramayana, that speak of his unflinching devotion and dedication to Lord Rama.

2) VEERAM

Veeram generally connotes valor and it is considered, inter alia, the most essential quality for any individual. To portray the importance of Veeram, the mythological story of Goddess Devi, destroying the demon Mahishan was taken as the crux of this ballet. This theme has been selected to symbolize Devi’s victory over the demon, particularly underlining the need for defeating the evil desires and actions relevant in today’s scenario. The theme has been appropriately interspersed with the exotic lyrics of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, narrating the significance of being courageous and confident.

3) PURATCHI MAANDAR

The proximate English equivalent of Puratchi Maandar would be Revolutionary People. They are Sita, Draupathi, Tara, Mandodhari and Ahalya, the trail blazers in their own sphere. Though they came into this World as ordinary mortals, there were catalytic instances leading to their transcendence and ultimately people deifying them as semi Goddesses. This thematic presentation is intent upon, and rather an attempt to project their transmogrification, as vividly as possible, with all their ingrained characteristic traits of these Panchakanyas (Five Women) who have not only created history but regarded as divine incarnation in their latter part of life.

4) THRAYEE
Thrayee is a dancing tribute to the musical trinity by presenting their divine compassion towards Mother Kamakshi in two classical dance forms, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Through this presentation, dancers reminisce the three distinctive ways in which Goddess Kamakshi has been depicted by three musical legends in 3 three different languages Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. Smt. Divyasena had the great privilege of working with her guru Sri.Kishore Mosalikanti for this jugalbandhi presentation.
5) Moondrum Moondrum Moondrum (Birds)
This beautiful thematic presentation titled “Moondrum Moondrum Moondrum”talks about 3 Gods, 3 birds and 3 different literatures which were exclusively choreographed for the IDA festival in Chennai.
6) LAYA THRAYAM
The unique thematic Bharatanatyam production titled “Laya Thrayam”, Laya meaning rhytmn and thrayam meaning three, revolves around the main three aspects of classical dance namely NRITTA, NRITTAM and NATYAM.
NRITTA corresponds to pure dance technique where the movements do not convey any mood or meaning or theme. It has beautiful movements, lines, various patterns in space and time performed rhythmically.
NRITTAM is a combination of Nritta and Natya. Nritya emphasizes bhava or expressing different emotions thrugh facial expression; hence abhinaya, or facial expression, is the key element of Nritya.
NATYAM is a combination of pure dance and expression. It corresponds to drama. Natya means dramatic representation or drama with speech, music & dancing.

Professional memberships

· One of the board members in expert panel of syllabus framework for M.A. Bharatanatyam -University of Madras.

· Secretary of PRAYATHNAM –Dance Teachers Association.

Divyanjali

Monday, 3 December 2012

Smt.S.DIVYASENA'S PERFORMANCES ALONG THE DANCE SEASON 2012-13

Saturday, 1 December 2012

Smt.S.DIVYASENA'S PERFORMANCES ALONG THE DANCE SEASON 2012-13

PERFORMANCES BY DIVYANJALI STUDENTS DURING THE DANCE SEASON 2012-13

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

PERUR NATYANJALI

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

The Vishvakarma of the Kuchipudi art

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Minutes of the meeting on 29/04/2012

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Divyanjali at Nada Neerajanam Tirupathi

Thursday, 19 January 2012

DECEMBER-JANUARY PERFORMANCES(2011-12)

THE DIRECTOR- Smt.S.DIVYASENA