The Guru | Nrithya Kuteera

Om gurubhyo namaha

My Guru

Vidushi Lakshmi Rajamani

I was molded into the art of KUCHIPUDI by the reputed Late Guru Smt. Lakshmi Rajamani, founder of Lakshmi Kuchipudi Centre. She is a very well known personality in the field of dance. The Govt of Karnataka awarded her Karnataka Kalasri in the year 2001. She has completed her MA in Kuchipudi and also holds a Diploma in Yakshagana in Kuchipudi. It’s an honour and a blessing to be her disciple.

VIDUSHI AKHILA DEEPAK

Summary

I have been a follower of Kuchipudi style of dance since the age of 4 years. I have been blessed with a great guru and I have been worshipping dance for over 25 years performing in many places in and out of Bangalore.

Started dance education in Lakshmi Kuchipudi Centre at an age of 4 years under the very able hands of Late Guru Smt Lakshmi Rajamani, I was educated in the Vedantam Style of Kuchipudi dance.

I have topped the state junior exams, secured first class in senior exams, distinction in Vidwat(proficiency level) exams. I am the first Kuchipudi dancer in Karnataka to have completed Vidwat in Kuchipudi and having the honour of receiving Vidushi title from Government of Karnataka. I am also a part of examination committee selected by Government of Karnataka and function as an chief examiner and chairperson of Kuchipudi dance exams.

Education

Started dance education in Lakshmi Kuchipudi Centre at an age of 4 years in 1990. I was educated in the Vedantam Style of Kuchipudi dance. I, still continue to study in Lakshmi Kuchipudi Centre, making the association of 20 years. I stood first in Junior Exam. I have secured first class marks in senior exams. Distinction in pre – proficiency and proficiency exams. I have been the first candidate in Karnataka to take examinations for all levels (Junior, Senior, Pre-proficiency and Proficiency) conducted by Govt of Karnataka.

Dance Exams

Member of Karnataka state examination committee, Govt of Karnataka.
Examiner for Kuchipudi dance Junior and Senior grade conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka in the year 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015.
Chairperson of the examiner’s committee in the year 2010, 2012.
Examination team 2013, 2014, 2015.
Translation of Kuchipudi Vidwat textbooks from Telugu language to Kannada language.

Lectures and Demonstrations

ALL INDIA KUCHIPUDI NRITYOTSAV, Yelahanka - Study of traditional Kuchipudi dance form through BHAMA KALAPAM AND GOLLA KALAPAM.
ALL INDIA KUCHIPUDI NRITYOTSAV, Devanahalli – Study of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam.

Workshops Attended

CLASSICAL DANCES OF INDIA, Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bengaluru..
BHAMA KALAPAM workshop by Sri Vedantam Ramu, Kuchipudi exponent.
Comparative Study of KUCHIPUDI and KATHAK.
MAYURA KOWTHVAM workshop by Smt Voleti Rangamani.
ASHTAPADI ABHINAYA workshop by Smt Lakshmi Rajamani

Awards

Prathibha Puraskara honoured by well known film actress Jayanthi at Kuvempu Kalakshetra under the auspices of Kannada Film Fan Association Bangalore in 1996.
Best performance award and certificate in “The First All India Competition in Dance – Akhila Bharatha Nruthyotsav in 1997 at Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium Hyderabad.
Best performance and special audience award in Inter School Dance Festival in 1998 at Bangalore.
Special talent award by MICO Brahmins association Bangalore.
First rank in Kuchipudi junior examination conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka in the year 2000-01.
First Class in Kuchipudi senior examination conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka in the year 2005-06.
Vasundara – Kalasphurthi award issued by Natya Kusumaanjali magazine – January 2010.
First Class in Kuchipudi Pre-proficiency examination conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka.
First Class in Kuchipudi Proficiency examination conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka

News Paper Reviews

Kannada Prabha: 3rd august 1997.
The Hindu: 22nd August 1997.
Tumkur news on 5th August 1998.
Prajawani on 29th August 2006.
Samyukta Karnataka on 02nd Sept 2006.
The Hindu on 22nd Sept 2006.
Sify.com on 20th Mar 2008.
Eenadu Karnataka
Vijayawani
Mathrubhumi, Malayalam local newspaper