Vempati Chinna Satyam (15 October 1929 – 29 July 2012) was an Indian dancer and a guru of the Kuchipudi dance form.
Chinna Satyam was born in a Brahmin family[1] at Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh. He was taught by Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastry. He refined his art by learning from Sri Tadepally Perrayya Sastry and later was trained by his elder brother Vempati Pedda Satyam in expressions. As he learnt the nuances of this style of dance, he was successful in propagating the Kuchipudi dance form all over the world. He died of old age-related problems on 29 July 2012. He was 83.
Dance
Chinna Satyam sublimated and systematised Indian Kuchipudi dance, giving it a more classical basis. He refined the art form, bringing it closer to the standards of Natya Shastra and introduced new elements, e.g. chari (leg movements) of Natya Shastra that are significantly different from the interpretations of other dance authorities, such as Padma Subrahmanyam. Previously, it had been considered a "rustic" (folk) form of dance.[2]
Operas
Padmavati Srinivasa Kalyanam
Vipranarayana Charitam
Menaka Viswamitra
Sakuntalam
Bhama Kalapam
Chandalika
Rukmini Kalyanam
Hara Vilasam
Siva Dhanurbhangam (Ramayanam)
Kuchipudi Art Academy
Chinna Satyam started the Kuchipudi Art Academy at Madras in 1963. The Academy has to its credit more than 180 solo items and 15 dance dramas composed and choreographed by Satyam. These solo items and dramas have been staged all over India and abroad. He composed his first dance drama Sri Krishna Parijatham in the same period followed by another hit Ksheera Sagara Madanam and played the lead role. His portrayal of Lord Shiva and his choreography was well received.
