M.S. Ramadevi

🪔 About

Dr. P. Rama Devi is a highly esteemed Indian classical dance exponent, guru, scholar, choreographer, and author, primarily recognized for her profound contributions to Kuchipudi. Her journey in dance commenced at the tender age of four, receiving initial training under the traditional Kuchipudi guru, late Mahankali Shrimannaraya garu, in Bapatla, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. After completing her Bachelor's degree and a brief hiatus, she recommenced her dance education, earning Certificate and Diploma courses in Kuchipudi Dance from the Government Music and Dance College, Secunderabad. Demonstrating a profound commitment to her art, she further pursued higher education, achieving M.A., M.Phil., and a Ph.D. in Kuchipudi Dance. Her doctoral research, completed in 2010 from P. S. Telugu University, focused on a "COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHATHURVIDHA ABHINAYAS BETWEEN KATHAKALI AND KUCHIPUDI YAKSHAGANAS," showcasing her scholarly engagement with Kathakali. In 1989, Dr. P. Rama Devi established her own institution, "Sri Sai Nataraja Academy of Kuchipudi Dance," in Secunderabad, with the aim of propagating India's rich cultural heritage through Kuchipudi. Through her academy, she has trained over 1000 students in certificate and diploma courses, advanced Kuchipudi kalapas, tala, and nattuvangam, with more than 80 students currently under her tutelage. Many of her former students now teach across India and abroad. She is an 'A' Grade artiste from Doordarshan and has performed extensively in India and America. Dr. Rama Devi has authored six books on Kuchipudi dance, developed a CD titled "Natyasastra in a Nutshell," and choreographed between 28 to 30 ballets, eight of which she penned herself. Notably, she revived and presented the traditional Kuchipudi forms of Gollakalapam and Dadinamma Kalapam after approximately 75 years. Beyond her academy, she serves as a Professor at the University of Silicon Andhra, California, USA, further extending her teaching legacy internationally. Awards & Honours: Kala Ratna Hamsa Award, Kerala State Sangeet Natak Academy's "Kalasri" award, Senior Fellowship (2002), National Tagore Fellowship (2026), Navarasa Natya Prapurna, PANORAMA OF DANCE, Nrittiya Kala Choodai, Kala Subba Rao Smaraka Puraskaram, Durgabai Deshmukh, Lifetime Achievement Award (from Yuvakalavahini), Badam Sarojini Devi Award, Pancha Ratna Mahila Award, Geeta Govind Samman.