Eight budding Kuchipudi dancers who have been part of a team that set a new Guinness record in Hyderabad in December 2012 will not rest on past laurels.

With an insatiable appetite for awards, they are gearing up to prove their mettle in the traditional dance-form under the guidance of their guru Parvathi Ramachandran.

The dancers Jyothi, Nikitha, Pujitha, Durgambika, Jahnavi, Tanmayi, Varshita and Chinmayi were the cynosure of all eyes as they performed at Sri Veerabrahmendraswamy vari Aradhana Kalayana Mahotsavam at Sri Achalananda Ashram here.

“I want to see my daughter reach the pinnacle of glory in Kuchipudi nrityam,” says Mr. K. Venkateswara Rao, father of 18-year-old Jyothi. “Now she is pursuing a diploma course in Kuchipudi,” he adds proudly.

Ms. Ramchandran who runs Shyamala Natyakala Academy says, “There is an increased awareness among people about the need to preserve our cultural traditions.” “More children are taking keen interest in learning Kuchipudi dance with devotion, adds Ms. Paravathi, whose students range from those studying in Kindergarten to junior college.

“My disciples have taken part in the largest Kuchipudi dance performance with 5,794 participants organised by Silicon Andhra (USA) during the Third International Kuchipudi Dance Convention in Hyderabad in 2012,” she adds.

source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Ongole – May 12th, 2014