The “Mahabrinda Natyam,” a performance by 5,794 artistes, from 3-year-olds to the 65-year-olds, bagged a coveted place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “largest Kuchipudi dance” at the GMC Balayogi Stadium on Christmas.
Organised by the US-based SiliconAndhra to mark the third International Kuchipudi Dance Convention, it was a tribute to the late Vempati Chinna Satyam, one of the greatest masters who practised the 600-year-old dance form and who has thousands of disciples. The group dance programme began at 6:04 pm with the “Brahmanjali” dance item composed by Vempati China Satyam. It ended at 6:50 pm with the “Dasavatarasabdam.” The organisers said they expected 4,500 artistes to participate in the programme but 5,794 dancers performed in it.
Praveen Patel, adjudicator for the Guinness Book of World Records, announced that he was delighted to witness the “Largest Kuchipudi Dance” and handed over the certificate to SiliconAndhra International Kuchipudi Dance Convention chairperson, Union Minister D Purandeswari and State IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah.
Anand Kuchibhotla, founder president of SiliconAndhra, said the earlier record was set at the second such convention at the same venue in 2010 when 2,850 artistes performed.
“It was as fitting a tribute that anyone could pay to the master as thousands at the stadium at Gachibowli, gave a standing ovation,” Anand said. Hundreds of artistes from nearly 18 countries came to participate in the programme, proving that Kuchipudi is going to have a great future.
Purandeswari, who has practised Kuchipudi for eight years and Bharatnatyam for five years, said it was a great moment. The minister, a disciple of Vempati Chinna Satyam Master, said it was a moment of pride for her to be present there.