Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana Sangeetha Natak Academy is set to celebrate the 102nd birth anniversary of the legendary dance exponent and guru-Padmashri Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna on March 21 in Ravindra Bharati. Telangana Academy Chairperson Dr. Alekhya Punjala released the event brochure and highlighted the significance of the celebrations.

The celebrations will commence at 10 AM with a conference and paper presentations focusing on Nataraja Ramakrishna’s contributions to Indian classical dance. The evening session will be graced by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, and Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, who will felicitate eminent artists.

Prominent dance gurus and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees, including Dr. Kalakrishna, Dr. Jonnalagadda Anuradha, and Gandham Basava Shankar, will receive performance certificates in recognition of their contributions. Renowned dance teacher Dr. Rama Bharadwaj will perform Navagraha Avatarana, while disciples of Nataraja Ramakrishna will present Perini Shiva Tandavam, Andhra Natyam, and Lasya dances.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Alekhya Punjala described the celebrations as a historic official tribute to Nataraja Ramakrishna, who dedicated his life to reviving and popularizing Nava Janardhanam, Andhra Natyam, and Perini Shiva Tandavam. She also credited him for restoring the glory of Taramati Baradari and for his scholarly contributions to dance literature.

The event is open to all, and dancers, scholars, and art enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in large numbers. Telangana Sangeetha Nataka Academy Secretary B. Manohar and OSD R. Vinod Kumar also attended the press conference.

Nataraja Ramakrishna – A legacy of Dance revival

Born in 1923 in Bali to an Andhra-origin family, Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna was a celebrated scholar and dance guru who revived ancient temple dance forms like Andhra Natyam and Perini Shiva Tandavam. His deep research into Vaishnavite and Shaivite traditions led to the resurgence of many lost dance forms. He extensively studied and documented Perini Shiva Tandavam, a vigorous warrior dance performed in devotion to Lord Shiva during the Kakatiya dynasty.

A polyglot and an erudite scholar, he authored over 40 books on classical and folk dance traditions. He also worked internationally, conducting research in Russia and France. Among his many accolades, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and elected as a Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow in 2011.

Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna’s contributions continue to inspire generations of artists, and the grand celebration of his 102nd Jayanti is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.