Lasyam School of Kuchipudi Dance celebrated its 13th Anniversary showcase

Chicago IL: Lasyam School of Kuchipudi Dance celebrated its 13th Anniversary showcase performances at Balaji temple auditorium in Aurora on Saturday, May 11th, 2013.

This year’s theme was “Bhajagovindam”- a devotional prayer to Adi Shankara in the melodious tune of MS Subbalakshmi. Senior disciples of Lasyam, Divya Jasthi, Supriya Bhuvanagiri and Srinidhi Angara with guest artist Pranav Perepa as Adi Shankara have mesmerized the audience. Dance director Smt. Hema Yaddanapudi unveiled for the first time in Chicagoland the choreography of in Kuchipudi style.

The highlight of the evening was Tarangam by ManoLasya Perepa. She held the audience spellbound with her unparalleled expression, grace and perfection of pure dance. She rendered “Jatis” while dancing on the edges of a brass plate with consummate skill and divine charm.

The evening showcased fifteen items introducing an array of 35 extremely talented disciples of Lasyam School. Young artists aged 6-8 performed slokas, mudras, jatis and steps to the chanting of their Guru – a year’s worth of their learnings that brought an aura of pure joy and awe to the audience. The event paid rich tribute through Sri Annamacharya Keerthanas with scintillating performance to the tunes of Adivo Alladivo, Bramha Kadigina Padamu and Narayanathe Namo Namo. And traditional items Jatiswaram , Dasavathara sabdam, Brundavananilaye and Lingastakam.

The program ended with the finale “Thillana” performed by Divya Jasthi, Srinidhi Angara, Kavya Koneru, Supriya Bhuvanagiri, Preetha Raj and Vinitha Raj.

Smt. Hema Yaddanapudi presented trophies and awards to all the disciples and presented vote of thanks dedicating the evening’s glorious performance to her mother and Kuchipudi Guru whose steadfast support has been the catalyst for her passion for the art. Program concluded with the traditional “Mangalam”

Lasyam’s event has left the audience with an indelible and haunting taste of a melodious performance. The evening heralded an unwavering commitment and promise of an abundant talent that can live up to the advancement of the 14th century art form “Kuchipudi” – as pure and original as you can get.