Vempati Natyamedha
A two day Kuchipudi dance festival conceptualized to be a celebration of the dance form and the legacy of the legend, Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. The festival showcases on-stage performances of the two most famous Kuchipudi dance ballets directed and choreographed by Master Garu - “Rukmini Kalyanam” and “Ksheerasagara Madhanam”.
Rukmini Kalyanam
January 8th, 6:30 PM onwards
A production of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, “Rukmini Kalyanam” is one of his most iconic dance ballets. It perfectly blends in all the aspects of traditional Kuchipudi Yakshagana techniques into the Nritya Natika format. The legendary love story of Rukmini and Krishna is taken from the Bhagavatham, and recounts the legend of how Rukmini calls to Krishna to rescue her from her impending wedding to Sishupala. The victory of Krishna over Sishupala sets the stage for a greater story of victory, while the union of Rukmini and Krishna is a showcase of pure bhakti.
Ksheerasagara Madhanam
January 9th, 6:30 PM onwards
One of Master garu’s earliest productions, this Ballet was first conceived as a radio drama in 1962 with Master garu himself playing the role of Lord Siva. The radio drame was very well received and was later converted into a dance ballet and performed first in 1963 in Hyderabad. This Ballet was written by
Devulapalli Krishna Shastri and set to music by Dr. Balanthrapu Rajani Kantha Rao. It depicts the Churning of the Cosmic Milky Ocean by the Devas and the Danavas. This Churning results in the formation of Amrutham and Visham (poison) among other celestial beings. The Visham is then consumed by Lord Shiva to protect the universe while the Amrutham is given to the Devas by Mohini as she avoids the Danavas.
Venue: Ravindra Bharathi
Lakdikapul Rd, near State Assembly, Saifabad, Lakdikapul, Hyderabad, Telangana 500004