‘Kuchipudi Sivadhrumam’, a Kuchipudi dance feature presented by Mummaneni Subba Rao Sidhardha Kala Peetham at Sidhardha Kala Kshetram, Vijayawada was not a conventional dance drama. It was a sort of documentary presentation well conceived and presented innovatively with superb technical values by nearly 30-member strong troupe of dancers excellently trained by Muramalla Surendranath. He learnt the art from natyacharyas Bh.Venkatarama Sarma and Ch.Vijayakumar. ‘Kuchipudi Sivadhrumam’ is his own creation. In Kuchipudi circles it is believed that a single bell from Lord Nataraja’s ankle bells fell on the earth in the region of Kuchipudi village which was under the rule Satavahana dynasty and then the Kuchipudi dance tradition took its origin. According to historians, Sidhendra Yogi formulated the Kuchipudi dance tradition and gradually the dance tradition emerged with many faces like ‘Kalapas’, ‘Yaksha ganams’, ‘Rupakas’ and ‘Vyastasyas’ and solo dances.
The impressive feature was written by Dandibhotla Venkata Narayana Murthy and set to music by Dandibhotla Venkata Srinivasa Sastri who along with Tejaswini gave excellent vocal support to the feature. The feature traces the origin and growth of Kuchipudi dance form. The feature also shows the contribution made to the tradition by greats like Vedantham Lakshminarayana Sastri, Perayya Sastri, Vempati Peda Satyam and Vempati Chinna Satyam and several masters of the art. The show choreographed and directed by Surendranath came as a feast to the eyes and ears. Surendranath dedicated ‘Kuchipudi Sivadhrumam’ to the memory of late Vempati Chinna Satyam. The perfect make-up of the artistes, the elegant sets, effective lighting and glittering costumes gave the show a great sheen.
Surendranath, besides rendering the nattuvangam, also donned the roles of Lord Siva and Arjuna. Other roles were played by seasoned artistes D. Sambasiva Rao, L.V. Ramana, Aruna, Lohita, Sumalata, Valli, Pranavi, Prakhya, Sasichandana, Tina and Satyasri. Fine instrumental support was provided by Rajagopalachari (mridangam), Jayakumarachari (morsing and tabla), Murali (flute) and Phaninarayana (veena). Surendranath was ably assisted by his father M.Vijayakumar, mridanga vidwan and dancer Sappa Srinivas.
