The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bharatnatyam exponent puts Adilabad on the dance map

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Bharatnatyam exponent puts Adilabad on the dance map

S. Harpal Singh

-PHOTO: G. SANJEEV REDDY

HONING SKILLS: Bharatnatyam dancer Samudrala Madhavi Ramanuja teaching her disciples in Adilabad.

ADILABAD: Samudrala Madhavi Ramanuja’s vow in 2005 to produce at least six certified Bharatnatyam dancers from Adilabad within four years has been fulfilled.

With demonstrable ‘grace’ she has moulded as classical artistes, some of her disciples hailing from as diverse a discipline as forensic science.

From just four disciples in 1999 when this English lecturer started her Vibhavari Natya Academy, Madhavi now has 70 students.

Many of her disciples have fetched laurels at State level dance competitions thereby bringing recognition to Adilabad.

Madhavi herself rose from strength to strength and now choreographs professionally.

Besides being a source of inspiration, her banker husband Ramanujacharya contributes his mite as Telugu translator. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has shown interest in promoting dancers from this backward district by allowing their participation in events organised here.

“With the blessings of my Guru Dr. K. Uma Rama Rao”, she says, “My disciples are slated to perform at the Chilkur Balaji temple at Hyderabad on October 4 and at an event to be organised at Tirupati by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in the later half of that month. The Telugu Mahasabha of Australia is also likely to offer us a programme soon.”

Madhavi spoke high about her current batch of disciples. They are all certificate holders in the given performing art and one is even slated to take the diploma exam in near future.

The Bharatnatyam exponent hopes to establish two or three coaching institutions .

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