Capturing the spirit of Hanuman Chalisa through Kuchipudi
Srimoyi Vempati’s ‘Kapisutra’ that wove together episodes from the Ramayana, was shaped by bhakti.
- ✓Srimoyi Vempati’s ‘Kapisutra’ that wove together episodes from the Ramayana, was shaped by bhakti.
- ✓Primary Authority: Official communique verified from The Hindu Cinema & Culture.
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under entertainment public notices.
If Kuchipudi is well known in Chennai, with quite a few students learning the art form, much of the credit goes to Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, who founded an institution dedicated to the classical style in 1963. Besides training several leading performers, he also composed and choreographed some of the finest pieces, which have become an integral part of Kuchipudi’s repertoire.
Today, his foremost disciple, Srimoyi Vempati, keeps the Kuchipudi Art Academy running by conducting regular classes. She recently presented Kapisutra – The Divine Algorithm of Bhakthi, a Natya Nadakam, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Choreographed by Srimoyi, the presentation began with a mother (played by Srimoyi) explaining to her daughter the significance of the various avatars of Vishnu. The narrative then shifted to depicting episodes from the Ramayana, the highlight of which was an impressive interpretation of Tulasidas’ Hanuman Chalisa.
Though bhakti formed the core of the segment, the choreography brought out the nuances of the verses in the saint-poet’s celebrated work. The dancers dressed uniformly in orange costumes and sporting tails portrayed the vanaras.
The brisk-paced sequences were marked by well-coordinated movements and abhinaya, and engaging musical score (Keerthana Krishnamurthy). Some of the stand-out scenes included Hanuman’s first meeting with Rama, journey to Lanka, encountering the demoness guarding its entrance, where he changes form to outwit her, and finding Sita in the Asoka Vana.
The other notable moments were the burning of Lanka by Hanuman and the ensuing battle. The dramatic gesture of tearing open his chest to reveal Rama within to convey his deep devotion was depicted with sensitivity. The dancers deserve praise for their seamless transitions from one role to another, while maintaining the continuity of the narrative.
The lighting design by Surya Rao enhanced the impact of the production.
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu Cinema & Culture |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | ENTERTAINMENT |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 10 November 2026 |