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
