“Nrityakala Thapaswi”, “Natyakala Prapoorna”,
Guru P. V. Bharani Shenkar
(National Second Generation Guru for Kuchipudi Tradition)
Honoured by the Central Sangeeth Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
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Guru Bharani Shenkar was born in 1953 as the eldest son of “Nataraaja Hamsa”, “Naatya Praveena”, “Bahukala Kovida”, Srimaan Acharya P. V. Narasimha Rao and Smt. Kamalamma. In his high school education, in those days, his date of birth was registered as 1954 for good, by his father. Hence, this latter date is now considered as his date of birth in the official records. Indian Classical Dance has been the prime occupation of his family. It is truly heartening to know that the four generations of his family are dedicated to this highly prestigious Indian Classical Tradition
1st Generation:
Guru Bharani Shenkar’s grandfather, Late Sri Potnuru Swami Venkata Gopal is a good Harikatha Bhaagavathulu in Gangavaram District of Visakhapatnam.
2nd Generation:
Late Sri Potnuru Swami Venkata Gopal’s eldest son, “Nataraaja Hamsa”, “Naatya Praveena”, “Bahukala Kovida”, Srimaan Acharya P. V. Narasimha Rao is the second generation of the family. He is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi guru. His desciples are spread all over the world in very high positions as popular International Icons for Indian tradition. To name a few are,
- The famous film actress, Late Smt. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Madras
- The famous film actress Smt. Rajeshwari, Madras
- International dance guru Dr. P. Umarama Rao (Retired Head of the Department for Kuchipudi Dance, Telugu University, Hyderabad, AP, India)
- International dance guru Dr. Sumathy Koushal, U. S. A.
- Late guru Sri S. P. Anand, Film Dance Director, Recipient of A.P. Government’s Nandi Award and principal of Sri Ambikeshwara Nritya Nikethan, Chennai, Founded in 1959. Sri Anand took pupilage of Sri Vempati Pedda Satyam along with Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam to do a specialisation in Kuchipudi and Oriental Dance Forms. He also worked as an assistant to Sri Vempati Pedda Satyam until the latter left Chennai.
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3rd Generation:
“Nritya Kala Thapaswi”, “Natyakala Prapoorna”, Guru Sri P. V. Bharani Shenkar is the 3rd generation of the family. He started learning Bharatanatyam in 1960 under the guidance of his father. During the period of 1962-1968, he payed visits to the Academy of Guru Sri S.P. Anand to learn Kuchipudi, during his school vacations. Realising that fact that one cannot extract the fruits of learning Kuchipudi dance on a temporary basis, he shifted to Madras to do full-time specialisation in Kuchipudi tradition from Sri S. P. Anand. There, for a period of 15years, he was trained by his guru and he in turn taught his juniors like noted film actress Smt. Bhanupriya, actor Sri Sai Kumar and other film personalities in Sri S. P. Anand’s Academy.
The necessity of staying in Madras brought him to meet eminent legends like Late Smt. Rukmini Arundale, Sri Pandanallur Subbaraaya Pillai, Late Sri Vempati Pedda Satyam Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and many others. From that period onwards, having decided to follow their footsteps, he mastered many important techniques, inherited from them.
Founded his own Institution in Visakhapatnam:
He established his own institution called Sri Ambikeshwara Nrityalaya in 1982 and it was later registered as Sri Ambikeshwara Kuchipudi Dance and Music Academy in 1992.
It is of immense pleasure to know that the academy’s senior student Kum. B. Rajakomali got selected as a State Govt. Panel Artiste in 1996. This was well praised by all the press and media then. Also, having learnt Kuchipudi for ten years in our academy, Smt. Prashanthi Harathi prepared for Master's degree in Dance in both theory & practicles entrance examination (with the Hall Ticket number: 1181001, dated 24.06.04), won a seat in "Hyderabad Central University and she was a topper in the University of 2004-2006 batch for her studies in the Master's Degree in the Kuchipudi Dance. The credit goes to Guru Bharani Shenkar who had taught her the nuances of Kuchipudi dance, in both Theory and Practicals
Through this Institution, he had trained many students in Kuchipudi some of who have come from other countries to learn this art form, or some from India, who have set up Dance Institutions all over the world, these students are now leading icons in countries like USA, MUSCAT, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, GERMANY, RUSSIA AND HOLLAND. This is just an example for his service and dedication par excellence to this traditional art form of Kuchipudi.
Foreign Students learning dance in India::
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Our Indian Students who have set up their own Institutions in Abroad::
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Guru Bharani Shenkar is married to his neice, Chetana Shenkar who was his prime student. With the Blessings of The Almighty, Smt. Shenkar has been assisting him all through his career in dance since marriage and she is now The Principal of their own Academy in Visakhapatnam.
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Being in this field since 1960, Guruji won many Awards and Laurels by eminents and Reputed Sabhas (associations). Following are a few highlights:-
1. Recognised as the “National Second Generation Guru”:
The Cultural Department of A.P. Government took notice of his excellent and dedicated services towards this traditional field. Thereafter the selection committee of A.P. Government nominated his name for the “National Second Generation Gurus” for Kuchipudi Tradition. He was then honoured as one of the Second Generation Gurus by the “Central Sangeeth Natak Akademi”, New Delhi in association with “The Department of Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh” at the Kuchipudi Nrityotsav. This National Importance was held between 9th and 16th Febuary, 1997 at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.
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2. Was conferred with The“Nritya Kalathapaswi” title:
Marking the end of a 45-days workshop on Kuchipudi dance in Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P. India, Sri Bharatamuni Arts Academy had conferred the title “Nritya Kalathapaswi” to our Guruji on 12-06-1998. This was in recognition of his hard worship and excellent dedication for 38 years by then, to the field.
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3. Was conferred with The“Natyakala Prapoorna” title:
Realising his talent, services, and immense mastery over the subject of Naatya Shastra, recognising his method of choreography, that of a high stature, imbibing all the traditional technicalities of Naatya Shastra, realising his ability to mould his students into well formatted artistes, Sri Thyagaraaya Gaana Sabha in association with Sri Vaishnavi Kuchipudi Nritya Kala Nikethan, Hyd., have conferred the title of “Natyakala Prapoorna” to our Guruji on 27-12-2003, in the presence of various scholars and eminent gurus.
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4th Generation :
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Mr. P. Uday Shenkar is the only son of Guru P. V. Bharani Shenkar and Smt. Chetana Shenkar. He was born in 1985. He started learning Kuchipudi Dance at the age of four. Ever since then, he had been following his father’s footsteps, learning Kuchipudi from our Guruji and had given number of performances all over.
For his talent, Andhra Pradesh Government noticed him and arranged the prestigious performance before HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EX-GOVERNOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH, Smt. and Sri Dr. C. Rangarajan. This prestigious performance was held at Horseley Hills, Madanapalli, Chittoor Dist., on 24-05-1998, which will forever remain enthralled in our memory.
Mr. P. Uday Shenkar is well established as a solo performer. His graceful, well balanced, calculated movements and his ability of expressing myriad expressions have won the hearts of his audience. He has been well praised by many scholars, reputed Sabhas, press and media for his talent and dedication to this art field.