Kūchipūdi
Kūchipūdi art form originated as a dance drama tradition, in Kuchipudi village, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was initially a male-only performing tradition and traversed through various regional indigenous dance forms, finally evolving into the solo tradition and Nritya Nātikās (dance musicals) performed today by both men and women. Kuchipudi encompasses Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (lyrical expression), and Nātya (dramatization) aspects of the dance. The brisk footwork set to intricate metric nuances, rounded, dip & rise, and graceful movements, dancing on the rim of a brass plate to showcase the extremity of rhythmic footwork, control, and balance, are some of the unique features of Kuchipudi. Another important aspect of Kuchipudi is the dramatization where the songs are mimed with alluring expressions, swift glances, and fleeting emotions thus evoking rasa (eternal joy) in the audience.
Krishnaveni Gurrapu
Founder & Director
Krishnaveni Gurrapu is an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She received her training from esteemed Gurus, including Natya Visharada Late Smt. Vempati Nageswari and Dr. Yashoda Thakore. She also had the privilege of learning the nuances of Kuchipudi from Dr. Vedantam Ramalinga Sastry and the late Sri Vempati Ravi Shankar.
Krishnaveni holds a Certificate and Diploma in Kuchipudi Dance from Telugu University, India, and a Master of Arts in Kuchipudi Dance from Aria University (formerly UofSA), CA. She also has a Bachelor’s in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Osmania University, India, and a Master of Science in Computer Science from George Mason University, VA. Since 2015, she has been an active resident board member of IDEA (Indian Dance Educators Association), a nonprofit arts organization in the DMV area.
Krishnaveni Gurrapu established Abhinaya Tharangini – Academy of Kuchipudi dance in 2007, in Ashburn VA. The academy offers comprehensive curriculum-based instruction in both theoretical and practical aspects of Kuchipudi dance. It is affiliated with SAMPADA (Silicon Andhra Music, Performing Arts and Dance Academy, CA), and provides instruction in the Certification course in Kuchipudi dance. To date, the academy is awarded with 51 Junior certifications and 19 Senior Certifications in Kuchipudi Dance. The academy also provides ongoing outreach support to students enrolled in colleges and pursuing Diploma in Kuchipudi Dance. So far, academy is awarded with 2 Diplomas in Kuchipudi Dance.
Abhinaya Tharangini students are provided with numerous performance opportunities at prestigious venues such as Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Embassy of India, Freer Gallery of Art, Fiesta Asia DC, Cherry Blossom DC, and various dance festivals in and around DMV area. In addition, students are given the opportunity to present their Rangapravesham (solo debut), highlighting their progress in their dance journey and demonstrating their readiness to perform at a professional level.
With over three decades of performing experience and 18 years of teaching experience, Krishnaveni Gurrapu is dedicated to guiding students towards academic achievements in the art of Kuchipudi. Her goal is to provide a pathway for students to pursue further study, research, and practice in Kuchipudi alongside their chosen careers. Through her mentorship, she aims to nurture a legacy of Kuchipudi dancers who will impart their artistic excellence to future generations, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Kuchipudi for years to come.