The Hindu : National : Spectacular Kuchipudi feat thrills President Pratibha Patil

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Spectacular Kuchipudi feat thrills President Pratibha Patil

Special Correspondent

Event performed by 2,800 dancers at the Second International Kuchipudi Dance Convention finds its way into the Guinness Book of World Records

The Hindola Thillana was performed by artistes from 15 countries, different parts of A.P.
The 11-minute performance was scripted and choreographed by Vempati Chinna Satyam

— Photos: G. Krishnaswamy

Brilliant show:Artistes perform the classical Kuchipudi dance to create a Guinness record at the GMC Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli in Hyderabad on Sunday. (Right) Artistes exult after setting the Guinness record. (Bottom) Students of Dr. Raja and Radha Reddy performing ‘Subhasaamprathikam at the event.

HYDERABAD: A spectacular Kuchipudi dance performed by 2,800 dancers found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records and was hailed as “magnificent” by President Pratibha Patil, who witnessed the event here on Sunday.

A representative from the Guinness Book of World Records, who was present to witness the dance, announced that it was the new Guinness World record for the largest Kuchipudi dance.

The dance, ‘Hindola Thillana', was performed by artistes from 15 countries and different parts of Andhra Pradesh at the concluding programme of the three-day 2 {+n} {+d} International Kuchipudi Dance Convention at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli.

It was organised by Silicon Andhra, an organisation promoting Telugu culture and traditions in the United States and the Department of Culture, Government of Anbdhra Pradesh. Dressed in colourful costumes, the dancers, mostly girls, rendered the 11-minute performance which was scripted and choreographed by eminent exponent of the classical art form, Vempati Chinna Satyam.

After watching it, Ms. Patil said although she was not scheduled to speak, she could not resist congratulating the participants for their Guinness feat. Complimenting each of the participants from 15 countries, she said in a lighter vein that the figure of 2,800 was not correct and the name of Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, D. Purandeswari, must be added, in an indirect reference to her performance on Saturday. “You have brought laurels to India,” she told the participants.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said it was a matter of pride that Kuchipudi was known all over the world and stressed the need for protecting the country's culture and traditions.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy lauded the organisers for making the dance form known internationally.

Two other performances rendered by disciples of Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy were also witnessed by the dignitaries, including the President's husband, Devisingh Ramsingh Shekawat.

The President felicitated Vempati Chinna Satyam, Raja Reddy, Radha Reddy, Yamini Krishnamurthy and Shobha Naidu.

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