Kuchipudi Kalapas an odyssey rediscovred

Smt. P. Rama Devi is the author. She is a well-known Kuchipudi Dance expert.

She comes from a Malayalee Nair family in Calicut. She grew up in A.P. and loved Kuchipudi dance as a child.

She learned from Guru Sri. Mahankali Srimannarayana at age five. She was eager to learn dance and academics. She studied B.Sc, B.Ed, Praveena Hindi, and Software Engineering.

She also has a Diploma in Domestic Science. She was awarded a Gold Medal by the Governor of A. P.

Dr. Ranga Rajan gave it to her for her M.A. in Kuchipudi Dance. She got her degree from P.S. Telugu University, Hyd.

In 1989, she started her dance school. It is called "Sri Sal Nataraja Academy of Kuchipudl Dance" in Secunderabad.

She has taught many young dancers since then. Her students learn practical and theoretical knowledge. The academy also teaches Carnatic vocal music.

She received a Senior Fellowship from the Govt. of India. This was for studying Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, and Kathakali Dance.

She wants to create a ballet. It will blend Kuchipudi Yakshagana and Kathakali Dance.

The Academy has received grants for two ballets. They are "Bhavayami Raghuramam" and "Sree Tulasi Mahatyam".

She judges scholarships for H.R.D. Govt. of India.

She wrote this book because students needed it. They need it for certificate, diploma, and degree courses in Kuchipudi Dance.

She realized there was no single book for Kuchipudi. It needed to cover the University syllabus. So she wrote "KUCHIPUDI DANCE IN TEXTUAL FORM".

This book helps students and common people. It explains the art form in simple language.

"Raja Rammohan Roy library" chose this book. It will be given to 417 Central Libraries and 67 Public Libraries.

She also writes scripts for her ballets. She has written classical songs too.

She has choreographed about 50 solo items. These are from different Poets.

She believes a Teacher/Guru is needed to master any subject. She thanks gurus in Music, Dance, and Makeup.

She performs at prestigious events. She has choreographed 15 Ballets in Kuchipudi Dance style. Her ballets have won awards.

Her ballets include:

• Veekshe Deva Devam (Based on Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini)
• Bhavayami Raghuramam
• Rutu-Ravali (Instrumental musical Ballet about the Six seasons)
• Asta Lakshmi Vaibhavam
• Budham Saranam Gatchami
• Amarajeevi (story of Potti SriRamulu)
• Sree Tulasi Mahatyam
• Sabari Gireesa Saranam (Story on Lord Ayyappa)
• Chaitanya Murthy Vivekananda
• Vache Vache Samkranthi
• AndaIa Tarana (On Ugadi - Script by Smt.P.Rama Devi)
• Raghukula Tilakam Ramam (Ramayana based on Tyagaraja Keertanas)
• Naree Manasam (Based on the Nayikas)
• Satyam Sivam Sundaram
• Siddhartha

"Kuchipudi Kalapas - an odyssey rediscovered" is her second book. It covers the history of dance in A.P.

This book talks about Yakshagans and Kuchipudi Yakshagans. It describes Bhama Kalapam and Golla Kalapam.

This book helps students and readers. It explains the main ideas with clarity.

It helps them understand the performance of the Kalapas and Yakshaganas of Kuchipudi dance.

  About the Book "KUCHIPUDI KALAPAS - An Odyssey Rediscovered" is a simple book. It teaches about Yakshaganas, Kalapam, and Kuchipudi Yakshagana.

This book puts Yakshagana and Kalapa topics in one place. It is written in a simple way.

The book is precise and helpful. It is for dance students and art lovers.

Kuchipudi dance is now famous everywhere. People from all over the world are learning this art form.

But the true meaning of Kalapas and Yakshaganas is not well known. This book introduces Yakshaganas and Kalapas.

These are the roots of the dance form. "Golla Kalapam" is discussed in detail.

It has religious and philosophical ideas that are hard to understand. The Kuchipudi Bhagavatulu were wise.

They knew the Sastras even without much education. They used the character "Gollabhama" to teach people.

They taught about fertilization and embryo development. They also talked about social problems like casteism.

Kuchipudi Kalapas-an odyssey rediscovered is her effort to explain Gollakalapam. It is almost disappearing today.

Gollakalapam is a vast ocean of philosophy. She has just explored its waves. This is her gift to Kuchipudi art lovers.

She thanks her gurus Sri.Bhagavatula Sethuram and Sri. Bhagavatula Lakshrni Narasirnham. They gave her materials and information.

She thanks the Scholars whose work helped her.

  Preface I have read your book carefully. I enjoyed reading it.

It felt like we were discussing the topics together. Your writing is excellent.

I have added my thoughts for you to consider. Think of me as your older brother.

You have used your knowledge and experience in this book. This book is helpful for M.A. students.

It fits the Syllabus of Telugu University. It expands on your earlier book.

This book is also useful for students from other countries. It will make art lovers happy.

You were born to dance in "Kuchipudi". You are continuing that work now.

You also know other classical dance forms. I remember your Nattvangam and choreography in Hyderabad.

I am sure you will create many ballets in the future. Your book inspires new artists.

You provide much information about Kuchipudi. You have gathered a lot of information.

You have presented different versions in Andhra Pradesh. You worked hard to gather this information.

Your book combines theory and practice. I hope you will study Yoga and Jyotis Sastra.

This will give you more knowledge to share with artists. I wish you success with your program.

  Forword Our country's culture would be different without Natya Shastra. It has been passed down for generations.

Written records are important sources of information. Smt.P.Rama Devi's work on Yakshaganams and Kalapams is well organized.

Her work focuses on Yakshaganam and Kalapam. She explains the technique and parts of Kalapam.

She explains the origin and history of Yakshaganam. She shows the structure with examples.

She compares Yakshaganam to modern dance-dramas. She shows how they add beauty to the music.

It is hard to take ideas from the great saint composers. It takes skill and creativity.

Smt.P.Rama Devi has done this well. Bhama Kalapam is a favorite dance.

Smt.P.Rama Devi captures the many ways to show Astavidha Nayika Avasthas in Bhamakalapam.

She talks about aaharyam, Madhavi, and Jada charitra. She also mentions regional differences in Bhamakalapam.

She writes about "Golla Kalapam" by Bhagavatula Ramayya. This shows her unique writing style.