Kuchipudi Workshop by Vyjayanthi Kasi

Renowned Kuchipudi exponent Vyjayanthi Kasi along with her daughter and disciple Pratheeksha Kasi conducted a 5-day workshop on Kuchipudi at Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Thrissur from 23-27  August 2015. The event organized by Sree Kerala Kalakshethram in Ollur, Thrissur was held as an introduction to a series of workshops on Kuchipudi dance.

The workshop had 14 participants including beginners.Vyjayanthi Kasi and Pratheeksha Kasi, prominent artists, demonstrated and imparted the basic concepts of kuchipudi to the participants. They trained the students on the basic aspects on the dance form like facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements. Extreme care was given to each candidate which helped them to increase their enthusiasm to learn more of the dance form.  The workshop concentrating on the quality of the art form gave the candidates an opportunity to learn the essence of kuchipudi dance. Classes were held 4-5 hours daily. 

The main objective of the workshop was to invoke the skill and interest within the dancers. “Vyjayanthi Kasi, the great dancer and the guru trained the students on the exact styles of Kuchipudi. The friendly approach by mother and daughter helped the students to involve in the workshop effectively” says RLV Vyjayanthi, one of the coordinators of the workshop.

A duet performance by the mother – daughter duo was held prior to the workshop. The students and the rasikas  got an opportunity to witness the Kuchipudi recital by the eminent dancers.

Vyjayanthi Kashi an exponent in Kuchipudi, is the current chairperson of Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy. She is conferred with various awards including Central Sangeeth Natak Academy Puraskar. Prateeksha Kashi was trained in Kuchipudi from her childhood under the guidance of her mother and guru Vyjayanthi Kashi. Both mother and daughter had done several solo performances in national and international levels. They used to do solo as well as duet performance and conduct workshops in different parts of India and abroad. 

Shambhavi School of Dance at Bangalore initiated and headed by Vyjayanthi Kasi is a Gurukul of Indian classical dance and music especially Kuchipudi. Its motto is to spread and perfect the classical and contemporary dance forms and create a healthy attitude towards art and life as a whole.

Report: Salini Venugopal