06-24-2008, 02:19 AM
my post...
This summer has been quite hectic culture/vulture wise in Northern California. We started out May 25th with a Kathak workshop by Pandit Briju Mahraj accomapanied by Sri Zakir Hussain in San Francisco, Palace of Fine Arts.
This weekend from June 20 thru 22nd the First Intl Kuchipudi Convention was held in Cupertino, California organised by Silicon Andhra, Poti Sriramulu Telugu Uty, AP Arts Akademies and the Andhra Pradesh govt. The all time greats from Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam to his shisyas who are now gurus themselves, great artists like Yamini Krishnamurthy, Uma Rama Rao, Raja and Radha Reddy, Shoba Naidu and innumerable artists (they are too numerous to be listed) representing at least five generations were all in one hall and one stage for two days. They had breakout sessions and seminars on the why and wherfore of Kuchipudi in the De Anza College conf rooms with talks by Dr Sunil Kothari and the gurus themselves. And all this with sumptous Andhra food (minimum 15 items) for all three meals on all two days plus Friday nite banquet. It was a gastronomic extravaganza along with high art. A true connosiuer's jannat. Man those dancers brought Indra's lok to Prithvi! Even Indra didnt have the number (~300) that was on stage those two days!
One could mingle with the greats and listen to them talk as ordinary folks of their thoughts and the challenges the immigrant parents go thru to support the art form through their children.
I truly express my appreciation for the Silicon Andhra folks for organizing the event and coordinating the extraordinary event.
For Hyd folks the next one is on Dec 15th 2010. Hopefully at the yet to be built Kalakshetram which should come up by that time.
News Stories about the evetn
Dancers to set Guiness record
And they did!
California to host Kuchipudi convention
and so on.
Check out eenadu's story. its in Telugu but the pictures are self explanatory!
Eenadu's story on Kuchipudi in California
This summer has been quite hectic culture/vulture wise in Northern California. We started out May 25th with a Kathak workshop by Pandit Briju Mahraj accomapanied by Sri Zakir Hussain in San Francisco, Palace of Fine Arts.
This weekend from June 20 thru 22nd the First Intl Kuchipudi Convention was held in Cupertino, California organised by Silicon Andhra, Poti Sriramulu Telugu Uty, AP Arts Akademies and the Andhra Pradesh govt. The all time greats from Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam to his shisyas who are now gurus themselves, great artists like Yamini Krishnamurthy, Uma Rama Rao, Raja and Radha Reddy, Shoba Naidu and innumerable artists (they are too numerous to be listed) representing at least five generations were all in one hall and one stage for two days. They had breakout sessions and seminars on the why and wherfore of Kuchipudi in the De Anza College conf rooms with talks by Dr Sunil Kothari and the gurus themselves. And all this with sumptous Andhra food (minimum 15 items) for all three meals on all two days plus Friday nite banquet. It was a gastronomic extravaganza along with high art. A true connosiuer's jannat. Man those dancers brought Indra's lok to Prithvi! Even Indra didnt have the number (~300) that was on stage those two days!
One could mingle with the greats and listen to them talk as ordinary folks of their thoughts and the challenges the immigrant parents go thru to support the art form through their children.
I truly express my appreciation for the Silicon Andhra folks for organizing the event and coordinating the extraordinary event.
For Hyd folks the next one is on Dec 15th 2010. Hopefully at the yet to be built Kalakshetram which should come up by that time.
News Stories about the evetn
Dancers to set Guiness record
And they did!
California to host Kuchipudi convention
and so on.
Check out eenadu's story. its in Telugu but the pictures are self explanatory!
Eenadu's story on Kuchipudi in California