Kuchipudi maestro Vempati Chinna Satyam died at a private hospital in Chennai this morning following old age ailment. He was 83. Vempati was undergoing treatment for the past few days.
Born in Kuchipudi village in Krishna district on October 25, 1929, Vempati Chinna Satyam is popular worldwide in the Kuchipudi dance form. In 1963, he started the Kuchipudi Art Acamedy at Madras. The Academy has to its credit more than 180 solo items and 15 dance dramas composed and choreographed by him which were staged across the world.
Vempati also choreographed dance movements for songs in several hit films in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. His dance compositions for Brihannala played by Late N T Rama Rao in the classic film ‘Narthanasala’ is one example of his proficiency. Classical dancer cum actress Hema Malini was trained by him.
Apart from winning various awards for his exceptional talents in dance choreography, Vempati was the recipient of Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1963. He was also honoured with a Doctorate Degree by Andhra University.
"May his soul rest in peace" - Ragalahari.com
