On the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami, Srushti Nidhi, student of Guru Suri Lakshmi Shankar of Nruthyadeekshalaya – The Gateway of Kuchipudi, will be making her grand solo debut in the heart of the city in Ravindra Bharati on Thursday 30 March 2023 at 6pm. Srushti, who has been training for over 13 years under the tutelage of Guru Lakshmi Shankar has completed Certificate Course in Kuchipudi dance from PS Telugu University.
For the Big Day, Guru Lakshmi Shankar has chosen items that will reflect Srushti’s calibre and stronghold on the dance form. Among the eight pieces chosen for the evening, two pieces have been choreographed by the Kuchipudi doyen, Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam – Sri Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi Radhika Krishna and Sri Tirupathi Narayana Swamy’s Vagaladi Bodhanalaku (Javali). As customary, the evening’s performance will begin with an ode to the elephant-headed god – Siddhi Vinayakam, a Keerthanam by Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar, choreographed by Guru Lakshmi Shankar. Another item that Srushti will be presenting choreographed by her Guru is Saint Thyagaraja swamy’s Koluvayiunnade, a Keerthanam.
Srushti will be dancing to three pieces choreographed by her Guru’s son SVKVP Deekshitulu. They are, beginning with Maharaja Swathi Tirunal’s Pahimam Brihannayike (Swarajati), followed by Narayana Teertha’s Parama Karunya Mam (Tarangam) and rounding off with DV Narayana Murthy’s Anugrahitham (Guru Stuthi). The programme will end with Mangalam.
The music orchestra includes Guru Lakshmi Shankar’s son, SVKVP Deekshitulu on Natuvangam, IV Sweta Prasad on vocals, IV Renuka Prasad on Mridangam, Kanakam Chander Rao on Violin, Uma Venkateshwarlu on Flute. Vachaspati Murali Krishna and Nisha Rajasekharan are the sutradhars in English and Telugu respectively. The stage designing is by Deekshitulu and lighting by Y Basavaraju.
Believing in Bharatha Muni’s words in Natyashastra that there is no knowledge (Jnana) craft (Shilpa), science (Vidya), art (kala), yoga or action (karma) that does not fall within the purview of performing arts, Srushti with the support of her mother, guru and guru’s son Deekshitulu’s guidance, woos the rasikas with her graceful movements, intricate footwork, complicated and rapid tempo of Kuchipudi.
With many awards to her credit like Natyamani Puraskaram, Natya Vidushi, Natya Mayuri, even before her Rangapravesham, Srushti Nidhi has performed at many venues across the country, from group performances to solo performances. She was the first runner-up of Everyouth Times Freshface, Hyderabad City finalist season 13. The Bhavan’s Vivekananda College graduate also assists her Guru Lakshmi Shankar in teaching the juniors. Apart from Kuchipudi, Srushti has also learned Carnatic music under PSSR Jaganadham and explored other dance forms like contemporary, hip-hop and Bollywood under Nitish Kumar in understanding the different forms to create a multi-dimensional career.
The distinguished guests for the evening include Chief Guest Dr. V Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister, Telangana Govt., Guests of Honour – Prof. P Ramalinga Sastry, Kalaratna, Centra SNA awardee, former Dean SN School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad; Kalaratna Dr. Sathyapriya Ramana, senior disciple of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Director of Narthanshala, Chennai; and Mamidi Hari Krishna, Director, Dept. of Language & Culture, Govt. of Telangana.
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