Vedantam Ramachandra Vara Prasad

Born into the traditional Kuchipudi dance family on June 01, 1957 to Bharatakala Prapoorna Sri Vedantam Raghavaiah (Cinema Director and Producer; Directed Devadas, Anarkali, etc.) and Smt. Ramalakshmi at Kuchipudi Village, AP., his qualifications include

• Natya Visharad from Kuchipudi Art Academy under Guru Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Chennai.
• Yakshagana Diploma in Kuchipudi Dance; Potti Sriramulu Telugu
  University, Kuchipudi Center; Passed in First Class; 2005.
• Diploma Course in Kuchipudi Dance; Potti Sriramulu Telugu University,
  Kuchipudi Center; Passed in Distinction; 2004.
• Certificate Course in Kuchip’udi Dance; Potti Sriramulu Telugu University,
  Kuchipudi Center; Passed in First Class; 2002.

Hails from a traditional dance family and thus learnt dance right from his childhood from eminent Gurus at Sri. Sidhandra Kala Kshetram in Kuchipudi Village and later from Dr. Vem
pati Chinna Satyam, Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai.

Rare video clipping of Vedantam Ramu as Veerabhadra.

Key Qualifications and Highlights
Natya Visharad Guru Sri Vedantam Ramachandra Vara Prasad (Ramu) is a well-known artist and legend in Kuchipudi style of classical dance in India. He has been teaching Kuchipudi style of dance since last three decades. He has been conferred with Natya Visharad from Kuchipudi Art Academy and diploma in Yakshagana & Kuchipudi dance from Kuchipudi Center of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Andhra Pradesh.

He has hailed from a traditional dance family and learnt dance right from his childhood from eminent Gurus like Sri. Sidhandra Kala Kshetram in Kuchipudi Village and Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai. He has performed Natuvangam (Sutradhari) and dance for his Guru Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam in over 6000 programs all over India since his childhood. He has participated in Yakshaganas, Ushaparinayam, Ramanatakam and Vipranarayana Charitram, etc. in Kuchipudi Village. He has also participated and performed in various programmes in abroad like USA, USSR, Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, he has worked with various well known Kuchipudi dance performers of India.

Sri Vedantam Ramu has re-choreographed Bhamakalapam (Yakshaganam) and Srikrishna Parijatam (Kuchipudi dance ballet). In addition, he has choreographed solo items and group dances in Kuchipudi style and performed in many television programmes in ‘Doordarshan’. He has participated in various solo and ballets like Ksherasagaramadanam, Srinivasa Kalyanam Chandalika, Haravilasam, Rukmini Kalyanam, Ramayanam, etc. under Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. He has also participated in major dance festivals in India.

He has received a scholarship from the Government of India in Kuchipudi dance during the year 1981 to 1983 and was appointed as a judge for Kuchipudi dance competitions by the Government of India (Department of Culture and Tourism) and Government of Kerala. He was nominated as one of the Members of the Committee to prepare textbooks in special Kuchipudi dance for Karnataka State (appointed by ‘the Directorate of Textbooks, Government of Karnataka). He was also appointed as an Examiner at Kuchipudi Centre in Potti Sriramulu Telugu University for a Certificate Diploma: course in Yakshagana Diploma and Postgraduate degree in Arts during the year 2001. In addition, he was appointed as an Instructor at Kuchipudi
Village during the year of 2003-2004 by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.

Sri Vedantam Ramu is aged about 50 years and was born to Smt. Ramalakshmi and Bharatakala Praporna Sri Vedantam Raghavaiah in Kuchipudi Village in Andhra Pradesh of India. His father was a well-known cinema director & producer and directed many famous movies like Devadas, Anarkali, etc. He is quite versatile in many languages like Telugu, English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.

Professional Experience and Achievments
He is associated with Kuchipudi Art Academy since 1974 and is teaching Kuchipudi style of dance since last three decades. Presently, working as a Main Lecturer in Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai under Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. Also served as a Main Lecturer and taught Kuchipudi dance at Kuchipudi Art Academy, Hyderabad during the year 1980-1981. Performed Natuvangam (Sutradhari) and dance for his Guru Padmabhushan Dr.Vempati Chinna Satyam in over 6000 programs all over India since his childhood.

Participated in Kuchipudi Yakshaganas, Ushaparinayam, Ramanatakam and Vipranarayana Charitram, etc. in Kuchipudi Village. Participated and performed in various programmmes abroad – USA (1984), USSR (1987 for the Festival of India), Singapore (1987) and Malaysia (1985).

Conducted Rangapravesam (Arangetram) to his disciple Miss. Colagotla Aparna (USA) during the year 1996 at Music Academy Mini Hall; worked with the following well known Kuchipudi dance performers:

• Mrs. Manju Bhargavi (India)
• Mrs. Hema Chowdary (India)
• Mrs. Kamala Reddy (USA)
• Ms. Sasikala (USA)
• Mrs. Padma Mennen (Australia)
• Mrs. Pratibha Prahalad (USA)
• Mr. Ratnapapa (USA)
• Mr. & Mrs. Vanashree Jayarama Rao (India)

Video clipping of Vedantam Ramu’s Nattuvangam.

Part of his program from popular TV Show Moovala Savadi – Talks about his illustrious father.

Vedantam Ramu’s depiction of Bhama lekha in a workshop.

Re-choreographed Bhamakalapam (Yakshaganam) and Srikrishna Parijatam (Kuchipudi dance ballet). Also, choreographed solo items and group dances in Kuchipudi style. In addition, he
has performed in many television programmes in ‘Doordarshan’. Participated in various solo and ballets like Ksherasagaramadanam, Srinivasa Kalyanam Chandalika, haravilasam, Rukmini Kalyanam. Ramayanam, etc. under Padmabhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

He participated in the following major dance festivals in India:

• Malabar Dance Festival in Kerala
• Kuchipudi Dance Festival in Kuchipudi Village
• Konark Dance Festival in Orissa
• Kajuraho Dance Festival
• Chidambaram Dance Festival
• Dance Festivals in Delhi – Upna Ushtsav
• Brahmotsav at Chennai, Chudambaram, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Thirupathi

 

 

 

RECOGNITIONS AND HONORS

• Recipient of scholarship from the Government of India in Kuchipudi dance during the year 1981 to 1983.
• Nominated as one of the Members of the Committee to prepare textbooks in special Kuchipudi dance for Karnataka State – Appointed by the Directorate of Textbooks, Government of Karnataka.
• Appointed as a judge for Kuchipudi dance competitions by the Government of India (Department of Culture and Tourism) and Government of Kerala.
• Natya Kala Praveena Title given from Vijayawada Cultural Academy, Vijayawada on 15.03.2008.
• Received Siva Foundation Award in the year 2009.
• Appointed as an Examiner at Kuchipudi Centre in Potti Sriramulu Telugu University for a Certificate Diploma course in Yakshagana Diploma and Postgraduate degree in Arts during the year 2001. In addition, appointed as an Instructor at Kuchipudi Village during the year of 2003 – 2004 by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.
• Received Vocational Excellence Award from Rotary Club of Madras, Silver Beach on October 30th, 2010 for outstanding contribution to Kuchipudi Dance.

 

Contact Address
E-Mail: vedantamramu@yahoo.co.in, ramuvedantam@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9444-853333

http://www.facebook.com/ramuvedantam

 

Posted by Panchamavedam Foundation.