Kuchipudi rhythms to resonate in classrooms

Andhra Pradesh will perhaps be the first State in the country to make learning of the traditional Kuchipudi dance mandatory in all State syllabus schools, including privately-operated institutions from the coming academic year.

A proposal to this effect has been put forth by the government after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his keenness to promote Telugu culture through such moves.

“There is a proposal to make theory classes on Kuchipudi compulsory while practical classes will be left to the choice of students of VI to VIII classes. For students opting for ‘practical’ classes, a four-year diploma certificate will be given at the end of the course,” said K. Sasibabu, Deputy Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Youth, Tourism and Culture Department.

High school students must gear up to master the nuances of the traditional dance form that originated in Krishna district. Vedantam Ramalinga Sastry, Principal of Siddhendra Yogi Kuchipudi Kalakshetram in Kuchipudi is said to have prepared the contents of the lesson, which have been sent for the approval of the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT).

The curriculum is expected to highlight Kuchipudi stalwarts such as Vempati Chinna Satyam, Bhagvatula Ramaiah and Vedantam Satyanarayana, the dance mudras and techniques and the rules and benefits of performing this dance. The objective is to help children learn the aesthetics of the dance form and its essential components that reflect the rich culture of the Telugu land.

Since the textbooks for the coming academic year have already been printed, these lessons will be given as supplementary material to students. “We are preparing a plan of action. Currently, we are focussed on gathering information on schools that have dance teachers. Depending on the feasibility,” says Mr. Sasibabu. Depending on the feasibility, the authorities concerned want to implement it as a pilot scheme in some schools and later replicate it in the remaining ones.

As part of the government endeavour, the Kuchipudi village in Krishna district is also in for a major facelift.

There is a proposal to make theory classes on Kuchipudi compulsory while practical classes will be left to the choice of students of VI to VIII classes

K. Sasibabu

Deputy Secretary, Youth, Tourism and Culture Department