Come October 30, 2021, it is going to be a Big Day for Kuchipudi dancer Amy Kumar, when her First student Tanushri Pembarthi will be making her Rangapravesham. Amy Kumar started her journey in Kuchipudi under the tutelage of Sri Raghavachary in 1999. Amy performed her Rangapravesham under Guru Smt. Krishna Bharathi in 2004 at the age of 13. Speaking to Natyahasini, Amy says: “I was too young and when I was asked to convey vote of thanks, I was too overwhelmed.” Just like her Guru, Amy too has come up with special pieces for her student.
After the confidence gained from her Rangapravesham, Amy began teaching Kuchipudi to young aspirants from 2006. Besides teaching the technical aspects of Kuchipudi, Amy always makes it a point to have individual and group conversations with her students to ensure that they are on the same page and the whole process makes sense to both the Guru and shishyas.
Amy’s association with her guru, Dr. Anupama Kylash began in 2004 when she got to be part of her dance production. She was the youngest among a group of much older and senior dancers. Amy believes that she was placed under Dr. Anupama’s guidance for all the right reasons where she could just be herself while learning.
Born to Narmada and Srinivas Pembarthi, Tanushri’s journey into the world of Kuchipudi started in 2012 under Lalitha Tirunagari and is presently continuing under Amy Kumar since 2015. Tanushri, who hails from a family of Engineers and Doctors, is currently studying Humanities in Class 11 in Gitanjali Senior School. The 16-year-old is a painter, skater, swimmer, basketball player, karate enthusiast and a public speaker. She was a Prefect and a Cultural Captain for several years in her school. She also excels in academics and scored 10 CGPA in Class X CBSE. She has won several dance competitions in school and at other venues. “Kuchipudi is my first love and passion in life and I will never stop dancing,” she promises.
Mark your calendars for her Rangapravesham. The Music Orchestra includes Guru Amy Kumar on Nattuvangam, Aneesh Menon on Vocals, Dr. R. Srikanth on Mridangam, Kolanka Sai Kumar on Violin, Uma Venkateswarlu on Flute. The Chief Guest for the evening is Prof. Bhagavathula Sethuram (Retd. Professor in Dance, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Retd. Director, Centre for Distance Education, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University), Guru Dr. Anupama Kylash (Professor, Silicon Andhra & Guru of Smt. Amy Kumar), Distinguished Guests – Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, Padma Shri Awardee (Social Activist, co-founder Prajwala, Film Producer), Sri Rajesh Touchriver (National Award-Winning Film Director), Guests Of Honour Dr. L. Jayanthi Reddy (Director, J. J. Hospital), Nayantara Nanda Kumar (Founder, Our Sacred Space) and Ashrita Vemuganti Nanduri (Classical Dancer, Actress & Television Presenter).
