Veernala Jayarama Rao

Guru Jayarama Rao is known today as one of the foremost Gurus and performers of Kuchipudi style, the vibrant classical dance of Andhra Pradesh, India. He has extended the Kuchipudi repertoire enriching it with contemporary choreography.

Belonging to a family of traditional artists of Andhra Pradesh, Guru Jayarama Rao was trained from his childhood in the traditional Guru Shishya Parampara. Trained under eminent Gurus he graduated from The Siddhendra Kala Kshetram and later trained under the renowned Guru Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam.

After his arrival in Delhi to open a Kuchipudi school, he has till today trained innumerable students in this art. Some of his prominent students were Swapna Sundari, Meenakshi Sesadri,Vanashree Rao, his wife and dance partner and many others.

Known for his superb compositions adding to the traditional Kuchipudi catalog he is a unique combination of a performer and a teacher. Poetry in motion is how the viewers describe his movements on stage. A great sense of dignity and aesthetics mark his teachings. He is also a member of the Expert committee on Kuchipudi in the HRD Ministry, Govt. of India, and a senior Fellowship holder for his research on Kuchipudi.

As outstanding artists of ICCR he and wife Vanashree Rao has travelled over 60 countries under Govt. and private sponsorships. He has performed in almost all major National and International festivals all over and abroad.

He has been honoured by many awards and felicitations for his contribution in the field. Prominent among these are the PADMASRI (2004) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999), along with Vanashree, given by the hon’ble President Of India, The Delhi State Award, The Andhra Pradesh Samman, and many more from national and International Organisations. He is also the recipient of the prestigious INDIRA PRIYADARSHINI AWARD (Nov 2003). In 2005, The Sanmukhananda Sabha felicitated him with the Natyaratna Award.