Vempati Chinna Satyam Biography 
Vempati Chinna Satyam was a Kuchpudi expert from Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh. He started the Kuchipudi Art Academy at Madras in 1963. He has composed and choreographed more than 180 solo items and 15 dance dramas for the Academy. He has received numerous awards and honours including - Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and T.T.K. Memorial Award by Madras Music Academy. He has also received D. Litt from Sri Venkateswara University and "Asthana Natyacharya of Pittsburgh” from Kendra Sangeet Naatak Akademi. "Natya Kala Bhushana of Guntur", "Bharatha Kalaprapoorna of Hyderabad", "Sangeet Peeth of Bombay", "Natya Kalasaagara of Waltair" and "Asthana Natyacharya of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam" can also be included as his honours.
Vempati Chinna Satyam was born on October 25, 1929 in AP. He received formal training from Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastry and later from Sri Tadepally Perrayya Sastry and Vempati Pedda Satyam, his elder brother. He was one of the great exponents of Kuchipudi who popularized this art form worldwide. During 1960’s, Kuchipudi was not regarded as a classical art form; instead it was widely considered as a filmy dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi. Efforts of many great exponents of this art form including Vempati Chinna Satyam played a significant role in giving classical status to this traditional art form, a status it truly deserves.
He sublimated and systematized this art form giving it a classical basic. He refined the art form adding elements and brought it close to Natya Shastra. Introduction of Chari (leg movements) is one such reformation that he brought into this art form. His first dance drama was Sri Krishna Parijatham, followed by Ksheera Sagara Madanam. He played lead dancer’s role in both these dance dramas. His portrayal of Lord Siva and rigour dance steps were well received by audience.
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Updated: January 08, 2014
