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ABOUT HIS INSTITUTE

About
NRITYA DARPANA

(A Brief broucher of ND)



NRITYA DARPANA is an institute working for reflecting the contemporary talent in the Kuchipudi tradition of Indian Classical Dance.

Run by ‘Ardhanareeswaram’ Venkat (Mudapaka Venkateswara Rao), the well known young performer and researcher in Kuchipudi Dance, known for his revival and numerous performances of rare items like Ardhanareeswearam across the length and breadth of the country. The institute runs in a Guruparampara atmosphere, under the guidance of great Gurus like Padmasree Nataraja Ramakrishna garu and Bharatha Kala Prapoorna Korada Narasimha Rao garu. Founded in 1988, NRITYA DARPANA has produced 600 kuchipudi dance performances till now. The institute, so far produced 1300 programs in different parts of the country. This does not include the 400 performances by Venkat on various prestigious stages all over the country.

Ballets produced in the past

Paashupatam, Sripadaarchana, Lavanaraju Kala, Alivelumanga ilasam, Om Shakti, Mohini Bhasmasura, Agrahadattam, Kaalika Vijayam, Padmaragam, Vishwa Shrusti and Sadhu Simham till now all these near about 40 dance dramas have been choreographed by Venkat Among these Pasupatam, Sadhu Simham and Lavanaraju Kala are innovations by the institute, the former a blend of classical and tribal dance styles, the latter a dance-form presentation of a social reformational lyric by the great Telugu poet Sri Gurajada Appa Rao.

Other contributions

Ardhanareeswaram, Ananda Tandavam, ‘Militha Sangeetha’, Natya Hela, Mabisbaasura Mardhini (pure non lyric Musical) and viswakarma Avirbhavam (sculptor of Universe), Nritya Bharathi, Simhanandini are the solo items which are the NRITYA DARPANA’s contributions to the Kuchipudi Dance Tradition.

Ardhanareeswaram

This is a pagativesham (day time performance) which existed in the Kuchipudi repertoire for generations in the past. At a time when this was waving out in the Kuchipudi performances, Venkat took it up and gave around 1600 performances of the same item on different strange all over the country and even in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Vibrant Institute

One of the significant features of NRITYA DARPANA is its constant regular and vibrant appearance on the stage and electronic media throughout the year. The Govt. Of India has produced documentaries based on the performances of NRITYA DARPANA, like Ardhanareeswaram.


Honours & Awards

SidhendraYogi Awardee by A.P.Govt, Cultural Affairs. Recipienof SIMHATALATAM’,
“Kanakabhishekam by Sri Satya Dance & Music Academy, Nuzividu Sanstanam, Nuzvidu,2005, A rare felicitation “Crowning” by Art Lovers, Tadepally Gudem,
Artist ‘GOLDEN AWARD’ awarded by Golden Jubliee International Telugu Cultural Conference, Malaysia.



Festivals Attended

NRITYA DARPANA participated in numerous major prestigious dance/cultural festivals like Dance Festivals – A.P.Sangeeth Natak Academy & Nritya Academy, Haridas Sammelan, Kal-ki-Kalakar, Central Sangeeth Natak Academy Young Dancers Fest(Hyd), Yakshagana and Kuchipudi Dance Fest. By Telugu University at Kuchipudi, Nrityostav(Hyd), Festival of Hyd. Dept of Culture, Shilparamam of Hyd., Dance Ballet Festival, Dept of Culture Hyd., Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu Hyd & Bangalore, Mellattur Bhagavatha Mela Festival at Mellattur, World Vaastu Meet(trivendrum), Nishagandhi Festival(trivendrum), Taj Festival(Agra), Khajaraho Festival(MP), konark, Kharavale Festival.Krishna Festival, Badradri Utsav, Rukmini Arandel Birthday Celevbrations(Mysore), Natyanjali Fest(Chidanbaram), Vaggeyakara Festival, Mizoram Festival, Natyanjali fest(Mysore), ICCR Celebrations(N.Delhi), Natrajostav(mysore), Basant Utsav(Puri), Manginapudi fest. And Taj Fest. Agra across the length and breadth of the country.

Best Institute award

1 Nritya Darpana awarded Siddendra Yogi Award, from Andhra Pradesh State Govt. for Nritya Roopakaalu.
2 NRITYA DARPANA received the best Institute award from the Dept. Of Youth Affairs, Govt of A.P. and NYKS
3 Recipient of SIMHATALATAMU

4. A rare felicitation “Crowning” by Art Lovers, Tadepally Gudem.

5. Artist ‘GOLDEN AWARD’ awarded by Golden Jubliee International Telugu
Cultural Conference, Malaysia.


DARPANA Expressions

After a decade of its successful, energetic and luminous mirroring of youthful vigour in Kuchipudi Dance, the institute began the tradition of an annual dance festival called DARPANA EXPRESSIONS.

In Veneration of Gurus & Titles

On the name of Late Smt.Lakshimi Devi, the vercetile dancer, NATYASREE Award to the amateur dancing facultly is awarded by Nritya Darpan every year.

On the name of Late Korada Narasimharao garu the veneral guru of Kuchipudi Tradition. An award by the title GURU KORADA NARASIMHARAO MEMORIAL AWARD to the eminent Gurus in the field of Kuchipidi Dance every yearl

It goes to the credit of NRITYA DARPANA, that by felicitating great Gurus and performers during this festival, it paved the path for similar activities.

Electronic Media

One of the regular classical dance stars viewed on Hyderabad Doordarshan network, National Network (Doordarshan) ,South Zone
hoot up also telecasted performances on several occasions and Bangalore, Nagpur, New Delhi, Lucknow and Third Channel, CPC (New Delhi Ardhanareeswaram was even filmed as a documentary by the Central Government.



Press says so …………


KALIKA VIJAYAM: Propriety in expression, timely exposition skill in movements without any kind of body bends are ell shown in every turn. In Kalika Vijayam extols us with nine rasas. Andhra Jyothi

PASHUPATAM: exposition is indicative of masculine vigour, and precise and well etched and displayed the tandava dance of Lord Shiva with some of the intricate karanas depicting the presiding diety Nataraja, in Tandaram some accurate pure dance postures with scintillating foot work.- Indian Express

LAVANA RAJU KALA: He proved himself a great exponent of Kuchipudi dance by his vivid descriptions in Abinaya, Nritya combine with Rhythm-Tala-Laya & got over whelming praise of all the art lovers (Lavana Raju kala dance drama). - Indian Express

Venkat composes the Jathis and choreographs his ballets keeping the contemporary taste in mine and through this he has successfully defeated the monotony – his versatility in performing delicacy in Shivathandavam and dynamism in Dashavatharams was dazzlingly visible. - Udayam

ARDHANAREESWARAM: with the skill of Laya & Abhiyaya, Venkat, Who possesses fine sculpturesque which is a boon to dancers, attracted the audience at various stages, with his Ardhanareeswara, which is an acid test to the ability of the dancers.- Andhra Bhoomi


A WELL CHOREOGRAPHED BALLET: In the course of the play, an interesting folk dance of the Chenchus was witnessed with a lively tempo. - Indian express


VIBRANT PERFORMANCE: The narrative was interesting not only for its mystified fable carved from the Mahabharata, but also for its colourful presentation with shades of folk music and dance. Choreographed by Venkateswara Rao. - The Hindu


NRUTYA DARPANA PRESENTS JUGALBANDI: Nritya Darpana, an institute of dance presented a unique program Jugalbandi. .Srikanth Sathe, Finger painter painted the stills of dancers instantly while Venkat in Kuchipudi dance style, performed the dance items enthralling the audience. Chief Guest of the function, Rajya Sabha member Dr. C Narayana Reddy felicitated the painter Srikanth and said, “He had discovered a unique form of painting. We have always encouraged the creativity in art. Nritya Darpana is doing that’” Cinare appreciated. - Citizen

PASUPATAM: The choreography by Venkat followed both traditional Kuchipudi and the folk styles of Chenchu dances. Altogether, Pasupatam was a lively show of 70 minutes’ duration. Another attractive and popular dance of Venkat is Ardhanareeswara, in which he, citing the example of First Couple, Uma and Shankara, stresses the point that the male and the female are mutually complementary and the fight about the supremacy of the one over the other is meaningless. Venkat is aspiring to produce similar play us with themes addressing the problems of modern society and correcting misunderstandings which lead to needless problems and controversies. - Sruti


GRACEFUL RECITAL: “Lavanaraju Kala,” a theatrical adaptation from Gurajada Appa Rao’s literary work was recreated by dancer choreographer M. Venkateswara Rao in the form of a ballet. The narrative brought out the essence of the theme in an effective manner. The Hindu

AN OVERDOSE OF DRAMA: The last scene had all the cinematic effects, like multi-coloured lights, with numerous characters representing the multiplied forms of demon and the goddess wearing masks and holding weapons. The costumes seemed to be inspired by the traditi8on of “Pagati vesalu”. Director Venkateswara as the blue coloured Kali in her fearful form with a garland of skulls, leaped around the stage while the yakshagana maestro Korada Narasimha Rao playing Rakthabeejahad lots of dialogues to deliver. Sarala Kumari was another dancer representing the goddess in the process of empowerment. -The Hindu

PRESS SAYS SO.....




HERALDS OF PRESS

Cut out for a brilliant career he is endowed with slim and agile figure expounds a Dynamic Style special attraction in which he showed a number of "Karanas" and gati variations - ‘Deccan Chronicle’

ARDHANAREESWARAM: with the skill of Laya & Abhinaya, Venkat, Who possesses fine sculpturesque admired figure which is a boon to dancers, attracted the audience at various stages, with his Ardhanareeswaram, which is an acid test to the ability of the dancers – ‘Andhra Bhoomi’

Mr.Venkat is not only a dancer that could perform ARDHANAREESWARAM with all supreme energy, dynamic grace, attributes and mesmerized the world with his talent - ‘Khaleej Times, The UAE, Dubai’

Venkat has a fine physique and displayed his ability in the pure dance. He danced into the hearts of the audience – ‘Times of India, Mumbai’

Venkat executed it confidently with beautiful expressive eyes. His foot work is not only fainttess but also rhythmic and graceful. ... – ‘Free Press Journal, Mumbai’

His potential not only as a perfect dancer but also a Choreographer, has excellent Laya and Innate Grace. Tall and Slim, he has all qualities that go to make a fine dancer. He is full of spontaneity. He was immaculate in displaying the vigorous style of Shivathandavam‘Illustrated Weekly’

With a figure that can be the envy of many dancers, lucid eyes, shapely legs and expressions in the manner of Western Bellarina and Alluring gait of his head start, his determination and stamina are indication of a bright future – ‘The Hindu, New Delhi’

The expression and exquisite excellence supple movements of his body were fully indicative of the work -
‘The Hindu, Bangalore’

A dazzling Kuchipudi dance performed by Venkat resembled statues....dance movements exclude a clear masculine touch and not the usual feminine look in a male dancer and his dance movements come with Geometrical precision and his foot work was indicative of his case of execution.
Shiva Thandavam, was the highlight with vigour describing Lord Shiva's cosmic dance as an event which the entire Universal participated – ‘Deccan Chronicle’

Propriety in expression, timely exposition skill in movements without any kind of body bends are well shown in his every turn. In Navarasa Sloka-Extolls us with nine rasas – ‘Andhra Jyothi’

His exposition is indicative of masculine vigour, and precise and well etched and displayed the Tandava dance of Lord Shiva with some of the intricate karanas depicting the presiding deity Nataraja, in Thillana some accurate pure dance postures with scintillating foot work – ‘Indian Express’

He proved himself a great exponent of Kuchipudi dance by his vivid descriptions in Abhinaya, Nritya combine with Rhythm-Tala-Laya & got over whelming praise of all the art lovers – ‘Indian Express’

Venkat composes the Jathis and choreographs his ballets keeping the contemporary taste in mind and through this he has successfully defeated the monotony - his versatility in performing delicacy in Shivathandavam and dynamism in Dashavatharams was dazzlingly visible – ‘Udayam’

KALIKA VIJAYAM: Propriety in expression, timely exposition skill in movements without any kind of body bends are ell shown in every turn. In Kalika Vijayam extols us with nine rasas - ‘Andhra Jyothi’


PASHUPATAM: exposition is indicative of masculine vigour, and precise and well etched and displayed the tandava dance of Lord Shiva with some of the intricate karanas depicting the presiding diety Nataraja, in Tandaram some accurate pure dance postures with scintillating foot work – ‘Indian Express’

LAVANA RAJU KALA:
He proved himself a great exponent of Kuchipudi dance by his vivid descriptions in Abinaya, Nritya combine with Rhythm-Tala-Laya & got over whelming praise of all the art lovers (Lavana Raju kala dance drama) – ‘Indian Express’

Venkat composes the Jathis and choreographs his ballets keeping the contemporary taste in mine and through this he has successfully defeated the monotony – his versatility in performing delicacy in Shivathandavam & dynamism in Dashavatharams was dazzlingly visible – ‘Udayam’

A WELL CHOREOGRAPHED BALLET:
In the course of the play, an interesting folk dance of the Chenchus was witnessed with a lively temp – ‘Indian express’

VIBRANT PERFORMANCE:
The narrative was interesting not only for its mystified fable carved from the Mahabharata, but also for its colourful presentation with shades of folk music and dance. Choreographed by Venkateswara Rao – ‘The Hindu’

PASUPATAM:
The choreography by Venkat followed both traditional Kuchipudi and the folk styles of Chenchu dances. Altogether, Pasupatam was a lively show of 70 minutes’ duration. Another attractive and popular dance of Venkat is Ardhanareeswara, in which he, citing the example of First Couple, Uma and Shankara, stresses the point that the male and the female are mutually complementary and the fight about the supremacy of the one over the other is meaningless. Venkat is aspiring to produce similar play us with themes addressing the problems of modern society and correcting misunderstandings, which lead to needless problems and controversies – ‘Sruti’

GRACEFUL RECITAL:
“Lavanaraju Kala,” a theatrical adaptation from Gurajada Appa Rao’s literary work was recreated by dancer choreographer M. Venkateswara Rao in the form of a ballet. The narrative brought out the essence of the theme in an effective manner - ‘The Hindu’

The last scene had all the cinematic effects, like multi-coloured lights, with numerous characters representing the multiplied forms of demon and the goddess wearing masks and holding weapons
- ‘The Hindu’


Nritya Darpanam,
Darpan, 16-11-741/D-35,
Moosarambagh, Dilsukhnagar,
Dilsukhnagar, HYDERABAD-36.
Cell. 9849833363,
E mail. Venkey _darpan@yahoo.com

MORE CREDITS


Dr.Venkat
Sculptures in dance bigger


The name Dr.Venkat has how become synonymous with sculpturesque, supple, dynamic and energetic style of Kuchipudi Dance. With his more than 1600 performances, sheer number of which speaks volumes about his incessant and matchless zeal for his chosen art form, he brought revolution in certain aspects of contemporary Kuchipudi Dance.

At a time when under the domination of the female impersonation skills of male dancers and feminine grace of the female dancers, the masculine charm and appeal became wanting in contemporary Indian classical dance scene, Venkat made concerted efforts to redeem this lacuna through his own impressively masculine style of Kuchipudi Dance performances.

Scintillated with his performances he dance-stages in various countries likeTaipei, Honkong, Thailand, Dubai, Sharjah, Malaysia, Singapore and Colombo.

To promote the Dance talents and the knowlodge of Kuchipudi and other Indian Traditional dances. Dr.Venkat published books like 1. ‘Puttaparthyvaari Shivatandavam-Natya Sastra Samanvayam’ 2. ‘Steps to Liberate the steps’ etc., some more works are on the way for publication

One of the greatest contributions of other dance forms with Kuchipudi dance. Pashupatham (The story of Arjuna’s fight with Siva) is the best example for this kind.

Remarkably spectacular among Venkat’s new creations is Nritya Bharathi a dance-item which, in the lines of Simhanandini, Mayurakouthvam etc. involves drawing the multicolour map of India with dancing feet while performing Kuchipudi dance with all its characteristic grace and enchantment. More recently Venkat achieved another landmark in this technique by innovating the drawing of lion and bull, the concerts of shiva and parvathi during the item of his fame, Ardhanareeswaram.

Venkat, for the first time, choreographed and performed the Telugu version of TIRUPPAVAI, The 30 deeply devotional and profoundly philosophical lyrics composed by none other than Sri Andal, who is Goddess Bhudevi incarnate.

One of the most significant contributions of Venkat to contemporary Kuchipudi dance scenario is the revival of certain genres and items of age-old Kuchipudi tradition that went into oblivion during recent times. They are: Ardhanareeswaram, Uloopi, Jakkulapurandri, Natya Hela, and Simhanandini. Among them venkat’s zealous rejuvenation of Ardhanareeswaram through his 1400 performances of the item acquired him the name ‘Ardhanareeswaram Venkat’. This item which involves masculine and feminine performances in two vertical halves of the body by the same dancer speaks volumes about Venkat’s command over his dance-art.
Within the contemporary proscenium adaptation of Kuchipudi Yakshaganam called Kuchipudi-ballet too, Venkat made his mask by getting ballet-script with tribal, martial and other non-classical dances written for him and choreographing the ballets with such curious amalgamation.

He innovated Nritya-Chitra Jugalbandi which is a Dancing(Kuchipudi & Kathak) and Painting performances paired up in one.

Dr ‘Ardhanareeswaram’ Venkat: a brief profile



* Recipient of ‘SIDHENDRAYOGI AWARDEE’.
* Honoured by ‘SIMHATALATAM’ (Lion-headed golden bracelet,
An age-old symbol of highest honour for artists).
* Recipient of ‘KANAKABHISHEKAM’ (A gold-coin-shower the age-old ritual of honour for artist’s superior-most by Sri satya Nritya Kalasala, Nuzivid Samstanam).
* Honoured by ‘CROWNING’ (as a symbol of great honour by Tulasiram Memorial
Cultural organizations).
* ‘GOLDEN AWARD’ by Malaysia Telugu Sangham, Malaysia.
* Best Classical Dancer –2002 by Rasamayi Organisation, Dubai.
* Crowned with prestigious title ‘Ardhanareeswaram’ which became almost the
Surname for Dr.Venkat.
* ‘AWARD OF HONOUR’ by International Minzar Mahostav-2006, Chamba
Himachal Pradesh.
* National Grade Artist in Doordarshan (Broadcasting Media).
* Top Ranking Artist of Cultural Affairs, Govt. 0f A.P. and Song & Drama Division,
Govt of India.
* Recognised as an out standing Artist by ICCR (Govt of India).
* Professional Qualification - M.A.(Dance), M.Phil.(Aesthetics),Ph.D. (Dance)
* Research Fellow of H.R.D.Govt. of India in Kuchipudi dance form.
* Research Fellow of Archives Dept. Govt. of A.P.
* Toured Abroad: Taipei, Honkong, Thailand, Dubai, Sharjah,
Malaysia, Singapore and Colombo.
* Publications: 1. ‘Puttaparthyvaari Shivatandavam-Natya Sastra Samanvayam’
2. ‘Steps to Liberate the steps’
* Founder-Guru of NRITYA DARPANAM, An organization to train up younger
Generation in the field of dance.
* Choreographed nearly 30 dance ballets right from Yakshagana Tradition to
contemporary apart from many solo performances.