Pappu Venugopal Rao

🪔 About

Dr. Pappu Venugopala Rao (June 30, 1948 – April 7, 2024) was a distinguished Indian educationist, musicologist, and scholar renowned for his profound contributions to Indian classical dance and music, particularly through his extensive research and writings on Natya Shastra and Kuchipudi. Born in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, he held multiple master's degrees in English, Telugu, and Sanskrit Literature, along with doctorates in Sanskrit and Telugu, and a D.Litt in Indology. He also earned an All India Gold Medal in Business Management. Dr. Rao began his career as a lecturer and later served the American Institute of Indian Studies for 32 years, retiring as its Associate Director General for the Southern Indian region in 2008. He was instrumental in introducing academic inquiry into Kuchipudi dance and delivered approximately 50 lecture demonstrations on music and Kuchipudi dance with the legendary Vempati Chinna Satyam. A prolific author, he penned 22 books and numerous research papers on diverse subjects including music, dance, philosophy, and religion. His notable works include "Flowers at His Feet," "The Science of Sri Cakra," and a critical edition of "Nṛttaratnāvalī" (co-authored with Dr. Yashoda Thakore). He held significant positions, including Secretary of the Madras Music Academy and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at the University of Silicon Andhra, USA. He also played a key role in establishing the Advanced School of Carnatic Music at The Music Academy, Chennai. Dr. Rao conducted numerous Natya Shastra workshops globally, including at Harvard University, and taught post-graduate dance students at the University of Hyderabad and occasionally at Kalakshetra Foundation. For his immense contributions, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2016 for Overall Contribution/Scholarship to Performing Arts, among many other accolades. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2016), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Sangita Samrat, Natya Visaradah (2017), Artiste of the Year (2012), Nritya Kala Saagara (2012), Musicologist Award, Best Paper Awards, Best Lecture Demonstration of Kuchipudi Dance, Ashtavadhana Sekhara.