Vempati Master!
Bharatanatyam Guru • Choreographer • Researcher • Teacher
63+
Years of Experience
9+
Students Taught
1
Followers
❖ Guru Parampara ❖
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Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, often referred to as "Vempati Master," was a legendary Indian classical dancer and guru, widely recognized for his profound contributions to the Kuchipudi dance form. Born on October 15, 1929, in the traditional dancers' village of Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh, he began his dance training at a very early age. His initial guru was…
Journey Timeline
1929
Born — Born on October 15 in Kuchipudi village, Andhra Pradesh
1947
Left native village — Left Kuchipudi village at age 18 to pursue dance in Madras (Chennai)
1963
Founded Kuchipudi Art Academy — Established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras (Chennai)
1971
First overseas tour — Toured London and France with his students
1973
International tour — Toured South America and the Caribbean Islands
1984
Received Golden Key of Miami — Presented a Golden Key by the Mayor of Miami
1984
Classical Indian Kuchipudi Ballet Dance Drama Day declared — April 27 declared by the Mayor of Gahanna, Ohio
1985
Founded Kuchipudi Kalakshetra — Established Kuchipudi Kalakshetra in Vizag
1990
Kuchipudi Art Academy building inaugurated — The Academy's own building was inaugurated
1991
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship — Awarded by Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
1992
Kalidas Samman — Awarded by the Government of Madhya Pradesh
1994
Ramayanam Day declared — September 24 declared by the Mayor of Memphis, also awarded a key of the city
1994
Vempati Chinna Satyam Day declared — September 25 announced by the Mayor of Dayton, Ohio
1994
Kuchipudi Dance Drama Day declared — November 3 declared by the Mayor of Atlanta
1995
Citations and honors — Conferred at the Avignon Festival, France
1998
Padma Bhushan — Awarded by the Government of India
1998
VCS Kuchipudi Art Foundation established — Established to continue the academy's work
2010
Honored by President of India — Honored by former President Pratibha Patil in Hyderabad
2012
Passed away — Passed away on July 29
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1998 · Padma Bhushan — Government of India
- 1967 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship — Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
- 1992 · Kalidas Samman — Government of Madhya Pradesh
- Kalaimamani — Government of Tamil Nadu
- Sangeet Peeth of Bombay
- Asthana Natyacharya of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam — Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
- T.T.K. Memorial Award — Madras Music Academy
- Natya Kalasaagara of Waltair
- Raja-Lakshmi Award of Madras
- Kalaprapoorna — Andhra University
- Natya Kala Bhushana of Guntur
- Bharatha Kalaprapoorna of Hyderabad
- D. Litt. — Sri Venkateswara University
- Asthana Natyacharya of Pittsburgh
- Gold medal — President of Tunisia at the Cartage Festival
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