Hyderabad, July 2023: Sixteen-year-old Kum. Sai Nikita Katuri, disciple of Abhinava Satyabhama Acharya Shri Kala Krishna and daughter and disciple of Ms. Sunila Gollapudi, a renowned Andhra Natyam practitioner & Executive Director, JP Morgan Chase; mesmerised the discerning audience with her superlative debut solo dance recital of Andhranatyam Aalayaasthanam; amidst the appreciation and admiration from renowned dancers and gurus in the audience, today at Brahma Kumari’s Shanti Sarovar Global Peace Auditorium, Gachibowli. The hon’ble guests Rajyogini BK Kuldeep garu, Incharge, Brahma Kumaris Regional Centres, Hyderabad; and Pan India actor couple Madhu Shalini and Gokul Anand, graced the occasion.
The performance spanning overs two hours included Alaya SampradayaPushpanjali Naata Ragam – Adi Talam; Sabda Pallavi, Arabhi Ragam – Adi Talam; Sree Maha Ganapathe Naata Ragam – Adi Talam – Mayooram Vishwanatha Shastree; Krishna Kaivaram, Mohana Ragam – Adi Talam – Majji Venku Naidu; Ramayana Keerthana on Ranganatha Swamy; Bhairavi Ragam – Adi Talam – Kota Subhramanya Sastry; Devi Stotram, Raaga Maalika – Rupaka Talam- Ponnaiah Pillai; Tarangam, Mohana Ragam – AdiTalam – Yathi Narayana Teerthulu and Thillana dedicated to Kunthi Madhava Swamy, Kapi Ragam – Adi Talam. Every move of her was well appreciated and several had the audience applauding.
Speaking on the occasion Sunila Gollapudi said, my daughter’s debut sole dance performance is a moment of immense pride and joy for me. From her tentative first steps to this remarkable moment, she has emerged as a dancer with extraordinary talent and passion. I feel blessed as an Andhranatyam dancer myself, had the opportunity to first teach her and later she learnt under the great guru Sri Kala Krishna garu.
Kum. Sai Nikita Katuri, is currently pursuing her majors in Literature,Psychology and Biology from Sreenidhi International School in Hyderabad. Hailing from a lineage rich in performing arts on the maternal side and Telugu poetry on the paternal side, Nikita has always been naturally inclined towards music, dance and literature from a very young age. She recently published a book of her poems “Unsaid Thoughts” with Bookleaf Publishers in March 2023. She is immensely excited and passionate about her debut and future performance and expressed her gratitude to her Gurus, parents and mentors.
Nikita’s journey as a student of Andhranatyam began five years ago with her mother and guru, Ms. Sunila Gollapudi. She was always enamored by the subtle grace and intricate footwork involved in this dance. She has been refining her technique and skill under the tutelage of Guru, Abhinava Satyabhama, Central Sangeetha Nataka Akademi awardee, Sri Kala Krishna.
She is currently training in Carnatic vocals from both her mother and well-established Guru from Chennai Sri A Shyam Prakash and has cleared her level 3 in Indian Raga with distinction. An avid music lover, Nikita also enjoys playing the piano and has completed Trinity level 2 with distinction and is currently preparing for higher levels under Sri Vinayak at White Noise Music Academy. Her interest in music also extends to playing the guitar and ukulele and enjoys belting out a melodious tune with her uncle Sashi Gollapudi on a pleasant evening.
About Nartanasala – the School of Andhranatyam
Nartanasala is a not-for-profit banner founded by Ms. Sunila Gollapudi in 2013 with sole intention to promote and support the revival of dance forms with a rich traditional history like Andhranatyam. Under this banner, Ms. Sunila Gollapudi facilitates dance performances that focus on unique choreographies with the help of her Guru Sri Kala Krishna.
Nartanasala’s vision is to train more enthusiastic young dancers, protecting the core discipline of Guru Shishya Parampara and helping propagation of Andhranatyam on national and international platforms. Nartanasala is on a continuous look out for new and young talent from any classical dance background who will further be eligible for scholarships and complete support in building a strong career in dance.