Nataraja Samskritika Kala Peetham, founded by Maddali Suryaprakash, a patron of arts along with A.P. Bhasha Samskritika Samakhya, organised a colourful two-day programme of Kuchipudi dances at Gokaraju Laila Gangaraju Kala Vedika, Vijayawada. The Kala Peetham also honoured several well known natyacharyas with special awards. The first day’s function was followed by enjoyable Kuchipudi items performed by the disciples of Maddali Saichandrika, an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer and guru.
On the second day, the inaugural meeting was followed by a scintillating Kuchipudi dance feature titled ‘Sirimuvvala Nrityarchana’ imaginatively and attractively choreographed by Maddalli Saichandrika who played the lead role. Other participants in the feature were K. Swarna Sri, B. Haripriya, J. Ambika and B. Pravallika.
After the dance the eagerly awaited part of awards giving followed. The awarees and the awards were — Mahankali Satyanarayana Sarma, noted Kuchipudi exponent (Nataraja award), Vedantam Manikyala Rao, well known natyacharya (Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma Award), Yeleswarapu Srinivas, Kuchipudi dancer, guru and winner of Bismilla Khan Yuva Puraskar (Chinta Ramamurthy Award), singer Vedantam Venkata Durgabhavani (Gana Koumudi Award) and Paruchuri Srinivasa Rao (noted educationalist). Good support for the dancers came from Chinta Ravi Balakrishna (nattuvangam), Ch.Santi (vocal), P. Satyam (mridangam), P. Anjaneyulu (violin) and Srikumar (flute).
