The
Second International Kuchipudi Dance Convention got underway on Friday, with chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy inaugurating the event, which is organized jointly by California-based Silicon Andhra and the state government at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).
Union minister of state for human resources development D Purandareswari and minister for tourism Vatti Vasantha Kumar were present at the inaugural ceremony.
The convention is estimated to see about 4,000 delegates from 16 countries participating. According to the organizers, the focus has been on bringing together 5 generations of dancers, from living legends to students, to promote the classical dance form of Kuchipudi.
The organizers hope that the convention will inspire the youth to take an interest in the centuries-old art.
The convention will see experts presenting their research papers and speaking on various aspects of Kuchipudi during the first 2 days, while the concluding day's events would be held at
Gachibowli Stadium.
It is expected that President Pratibha Patil would be among the attendees at the stadium, to witness about 2,500 youth performing the 'Maha Brunda Natyam' in the mould of Siddhendra Yogi's dance form. Siddhendra Yogi, the 15th century saint, is widely believed to have been the driving force behind the dance form.
Organize expect that the 2,500 performers presenting the 'Maha Brunda Natyam' would find a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.
About 20 dance troupes and noted artists like Sobha Naidu, Alekhya Punjala, Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy will perform during the convention, whose theme translates to 'Youth Is The Future Of Kuchipudi'.
Courtesy: INN