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Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Promoting and preserving Kuchipudi with passion
Vijayawada: In the heart of Vijayawada, where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, the Gonugunta family stands out as a beacon of classical excellence. Gonugunta Saila Sree and her daughters, Satyanandini and Ramya Sahithi, are not just preserving the art of Kuchipudi, but passionately promoting it through performance, pedagogy, and innovation. 'The Hans India' interacted with this family. Gonugunta Saila Sree, the guiding force of the family, born in 1975 to K Nageswara Rao and Varalakshmi Sujatha. She devoted her life to Kuchipudi. Trained under legendary gurus like Lanka Annapurna, Dhanalakshmi, Josyula Sitarama Sastry, and Vedantam Radheshyam, she embodies tradition and excellence. She was a double diploma holder in dance. Saila Sree is widely respected as a performer, choreographer, and guru. In 1998, she founded Sri Nrutya Kala Nilayam, a Kuchipudi dance academy that has since become a cradle for nurturing young talent. Under her guidance, the institution has trained scores of students, many of whom have received HRD and CCRT scholarships, and have excelled in national-level competitions. Her dance troupe has performed across India, from Assam to Kerala, Mumbai to Odisha, and in temples and cultural festivals throughout the country. Her choreographed productions, such as 'Goda Kalyanam' and 'Girija Kalyanam', have earned her accolades like Nrutya Ratna, Natya Kala Tapaswi, and Natya Priya. Her students regularly grace esteemed stages, including the Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu, Assam Cultural Federation (Silchar), Bharata Muni Dance Festivals, and Margazhi Festivals of Tamil Nadu. Gonugunta Satyanandini, the scholar-performer, following in her mother's footsteps with her own distinct voice was born in 1999. A natural dancer from childhood, her journey began under her mother's watchful eye and later continued with advanced training under Vedantam Radhesyam and Vempati Ravi Shankar. Despite holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering and working in the corporate sector, her commitment to Kuchipudi remains unwavering. Satyanandini holds a diploma in Yakshaganam from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University and is currently preparing to pursue a PhD in dance. With over two decades of performance experience, she dazzled audiences at prominent venues such as the Mumbai Telugu Mahasabha, CCRT (New Delhi), and the Bharatamuni Dance Festival. As a choreographer, she crafted compelling ballets like 'Nauka Charitam' and 'Stree'. Her artistry has been recognised through titles like Nritya Koumudi, Nritya Priya, and Natya Virinchi, along with a gold medal from prestigious competitions in Hyderabad. She has also been honoured by Drushya Vedika for her contributions to the arts. Beyond dance, Satyanandini harbours a deep interest in theatre, having acted in plays such as 'Kanakapushya Ragam' and 'Danta Vedantam', reflecting her versatile artistic spirit. Gonugunta Ramya Sahithi, the emerging torchbearer, the youngest in the family, born in 2001, is an accomplished performer and a promising scholar. She is currently pursuing her Master of Performing Arts (MPA) at the Central University of Hyderabad. Beginning her training under her mother and later continuing with Guru Vedantam Radheshyam, Ramya's dedication was recognised early with the CCRT Scholarship in 2016. A graded artiste of Doordarshan Hyderabad, Ramya has already performed in over 700 solo and group shows across the country. Her consistent presence in national festivals and her mature stage presence mark her as one of the rising stars in the classical dance circuit. As the conversation with this extraordinary family came to a close, their shared dream became clear: to establish a new dance institution rooted in systematic, high-quality training, blending tradition with contemporary pedagogy. Both Satyanandini and Ramya Sahithi expressed a strong desire to promote not only dance but also theatre, continuing their family's artistic legacy while paving new paths for future generations. The Gonugunta family's journey is a testament to what passion, discipline, and generational dedication can achieve. In a world that's constantly changing, their art stands timeless.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nagpur's Indurkar to design Ayodhya's Ram-Sita Museum
Nagpur: In recognition of Vidarbha's cultural depth, Nagpur's Dr Vinod Narayan Indurkar, an exponent of fine arts and renowned educationist, has been appointed advisor to the Ram-Sita Museum Project in Ayodhya. The assignment aligns him with one of the most ambitious heritage and religious projects underway in India — a multi-sensory, scholarly, and experiential museum rooted in the legacy of Lord Ram and Sita. Currently serving as chairman of govt of India's Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Dr Indurkar will design the museum, banking on his decades of expertise in aesthetics, iconography, museum design, and cultural pedagogy. Talking to TOI on Monday, he said, "I feel honoured to have been assigned the responsibility of involving the best of Indian art and artists in this project. We aim to use modern technology to give visitors a world-class experience while staying rooted in Indian tradition and values. " Giving an insight into the contours of the museum, he said visitors can walk through interactive digital galleries with 3D projection-mapped Ramayana Wall and AR/VR recreations of forest life and battles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Probably a bad dream': Stage 4 cancer at 30 and how this millennial is navigating through it CNA Read More Undo Also, smart wristbands will allow custom tours based on age, interests, and language. The museum is envisioned as a dynamic cultural experience that combines storytelling, visual art, performance, and technology and is expected to reach completion by 2030. "I am thankful to Ram temple construction committee chairman, Nripendra Mishra, who appreciates my work and approach. He personally asked me to take up this assignment, and I accepted it with responsibility and gratitude," said Indurkar. As director of CCRT, Dr Indurkar has unparalleled access to a nationwide network of traditional and contemporary artists. "Being CCRT director, we have a list and access to artists who practice India's diverse art forms. I will be using their talent in developing this museum, from sculptors and painters to performers and digital designers," he said. In a unique vision, Dr Indurkar also plans to engage senior masters and emerging talent together. "I will involve big names in every art form and pair them with a team of young artists to assist and learn," he added. "This will not only ensure artistic excellence but also create a new generation of artists in India, a legacy in itself," he said. GRAPHICS Header: Where Art Will Meet Technology *Visitors will walk through interactive digital galleries * AR/VR recreations of forest life and battles * 3D projection-mapped Ramayana Wall * Smart wristbands will allow custom tours based on age, interests, and language * An open-air Ram Leela amphitheatre * Rangmanch for classical dance-dramas * Bhajan Mandap for devotional music * Rare manuscripts and comparative studies * An academic library and digitisation lab * Sita Udyan, a botanical garden * Replica Pushpak Viman viewpoint * Lawns, sculpture gardens, and sacred groves
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kalagram — a mini India of crafts and culture to come up in Dwarka Sector 7
Artistically designed huts dedicated to the culture of different states and regions across India, with space for artisans to exhibit and sell their handicrafts, an amphitheatre for screenings and musical performances, and a culinary centre — an elaborate village habitat-themed hub for all things art and heritage is set to come up in the city soon, officials aware of the matter said. Named Kalagram (which translates to village of art, adhering to the established theme), the Central Public Works Department will develop the cultural complex in Dwarka's Sector 7 within the campus of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT). The project, which was cleared by the Union ministry of culture in 2023, has already received a funding sanction of ₹1 crore. The construction work is expected to complete within a year, said officials. CPWD has already floated tenders for the same. 'Once operational, the complex is expected to become a major attraction not only for Delhi residents but also for tourists and artists from across the country. It will serve as a platform for rural artisans to gain urban exposure, create economic opportunities, and enable cross-cultural learning,' said CCRT chairman, Vinod Narayan Indurkar. The initiative is part of the government's larger Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) campaign — a tribute to 75 years of Indian independence — and is being developed with a vision of showcasing the country's diverse traditional and contemporary art forms, Indurkar added. According to minutes from the 2023 board meeting, Kalagram's focus will be on 'imbibing architectural, aesthetic, historic, environmental, archaeological and even spiritual and symbolic values embedded in our heritage.' Spanning over 2.3 acres, Kalagram is being envisioned as a 'mini India', offering a panoramic view of the cultural mosaic that defines the nation. The complex will house 12 artistically designed huts, each dedicated to a different region of India and reflecting its unique craft, textile, and art traditions. These huts will provide space to artisans from across the country to exhibit and sell their handicrafts. In addition to these permanent structures, it will also feature temporary kiosks, an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 400 people, and spaces for exhibitions, workshops, and live performances. It will be functional throughout the year to maintain consistent footfall and public engagement. There are also provisions for multiple conference rooms, and in the next phase of development, a hostel facility is expected to be added to accommodate artists and participants. 'We are in contact with artistes and performers from across the country, who will be invited for live performances and shows every day. We want to develop Kalagram as a lively and active space where people can spend time. That is why we are also developing a large open cafeteria,' said Indurkar. He added that the walls and other spaces within Kalagram will be adorned with handicraft and folk art from different regions across the country. The Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) last month granted design and development approval for the project. Officials familiar with the matter said the project has been carefully designed to blend into the urban character of Dwarka while adding a distinct cultural identity to the area. The detailed project report (DPR) states that the project has been conceived on the theme of a 'village habitat'. From the entrance structures to the material used, all elements will be in sync with a typical village environment, officials said, which will include walls finished with mud plaster, and roof of huts made with corrugated bamboo sheets. 'The exhibition huts have been placed at different levels in such a way to have the OAT as a contiguous part of the display area, thus enabling the visitors to enjoy cultural activities being arranged in the OAT from time-to-time. Site planning has been done in such a way that minimum trees will have to be cut,' the DPR mentions. Officials from the culture ministry said that Kalagram will not just be a tourist destination, but a functional cultural hub, serving students, art practitioners, scholars, and general visitors as a 'living ecosystem of culture and learning', adding that the project will draw from India's ancient gurukul system in its layout and learning modules. Established in 1979, CCRT has been promoting India's intangible heritage through educational programmes, scholarships for young artists, and its popular Virasat Kamaladevi Festival, which honours the contributions of cultural stalwart Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.
