Bhagavatula Sethuram

🪔 About

Born on May 5, 1959, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), Professor Bhagavatula Sethuram is an internationally acclaimed Kuchipudi exponent, revered for his profound contributions to Indian classical dance. His journey in dance began at an early age, performing as 'Lavudu' in 'Ramanatakam' at five years old, following in the footsteps of his father, Bhagavatula Ramakotaiah, a renowned Kuchipudi proponent who established Sri Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam in Hyderabad in 1961. Sethuram received his foundational training from his father and was later mentored by stalwarts such as K. Uma Rao and Vedantam Prahalada Sarma. After his father's demise, Sethuram took over the mantle of Sri Kuchipudi Nritya Nilayam, continuing its legacy of preserving and propagating Kuchipudi. He furthered his academic pursuits with a post-graduation in dance from Telugu University. His distinguished career as an educator began with his appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Dance, Lalita Kala Peetham, on November 23, 1987. He subsequently joined Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, where he served as an Assistant Professor from July 10, 1991, and was later promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 and Professor from March 22, 2017. Throughout his tenure at the university, Professor Sethuram held significant administrative roles, including Head of the Department of Dance for three terms (2003-2006, 2007-2010, 2012-2015) and In-charge Dean of the School of Fine Arts (2015-2016). He also served as the Director of Distance Education from July 14, 2016, until his retirement on June 31, 2019. As a performer and choreographer, Sethuram has mesmerized audiences globally, blending traditional Kuchipudi repertoire with innovative productions. He is particularly dedicated to the revival of Yakshaganam, a crucial wing of Kuchipudi dance, and has conducted workshops and performances to this end. His artistic philosophy emphasizes discipline, humility, spirituality, and devotion. For his lifelong dedication and contributions to Kuchipudi dance, he was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2022. He has also received other accolades such as Natya Brahma, Kuchipudi Ratnakar, Nritya Prabha, Natya Kaustubh, and Pratibha Puraskaram. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2022), Natya Brahma, Kuchipudi Ratnakar, Nritya Prabha, Natya Kaustubh, Pratibha Puraskaram.