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Discoverer of a forgotten dance form
Born on Bali Island of Indonesia in 1933, Ramakrishna
came to India in 1941 and settled down in Nagpur.
Harbouring an inherent aptitude for dance, he took
lessons in Kathak at an early age.
In South India, he learnt different forms and aspects
of dances from renowned gurus. He learned Bharatnatyam
from Pandanallur Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, temple
dances and abhinaya from Naidupeta Rajamma
of Kalahasti, Bhagavatam from Pendela
Satyabhama of Peethapuram and Kuchipudi
from Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastri. Besides,
he also acquainted himself with other forms of Indian
dance like Kathakali and Manipuri and
learnt both Hindustani as well as Carnatic music.
For nearly two decades, Ramakrishna gave dance recitals
all over the state. His performances are eulogized by
one and all. In appreciation of his talents and skills
he was called Nataraj Ramakrishna.
Nataraj Ramakrishna has always had a scholarly bent
of mind. He constantly studied and researched dance.
As a result, he not only wrote papers and published
books but he also revived the near-extinct and forgotten
dance form that he called Andhra Natyam. The
vigorous Perini Tandavam from the times of the
Kakatiya kings, reconstrued from Nritta Ratnavali
and the sculptures of Ramappa Temple, and
the loveable Navajanardana Parijatam, were immediately
accepted into the traditional fold of classical South
Indian dances.
He set up Nritya Niketan in 1959 to teach the
newly discovered Andhra Dance as well as abhinaya,
temple dances and choreography. Through the demonstration
lectures and performances at Nritya Niketan, he popularised
some of the near forgotten dance forms.
Of the 32 books written by him, Dakshinatyula Natya
Kala Charitra won the state government award and
Nartana Seema, Nartana Bhoomi, Nartana Bala, Dancing
Bells in English and Nartana Katha won awards
from the central government.
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