PASUMARTHY RAMALINGA SASTRY

🪔 About

Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastry, born in 1958 in the traditional Kuchipudi village in Andhra Pradesh, India, is a revered master, senior torchbearer, and renowned guru of Indian classical dance. He is recognized for his profound contributions to Kuchipudi, a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, and also has significant training in Bharatanatyam. Sastry received intensive Kuchipudi training under legendary gurus such as Vedantam Parvateesam, Pasumarthy Venugopal Krishna Sarma, and Vempati Chinna Satyam. He also learned from his father, Pasumarthy Ramakrishna Sastry. Further enhancing his artistry, he pursued a Diploma in Bharatanatyam from the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, where he trained under the Bharatanatyam legend Rukmini Devi Arundale. A virtuoso performer and gifted choreographer, Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastry has captivated audiences globally, including multiple tours of the USA for workshops and performances. His extensive choreographic oeuvre includes acclaimed dance-dramas and ballets such as 'Gajaneeyam', 'Sri Ramakatha Saaram', 'Rasa Leela', 'Narakaasura Vadha', 'Navanaayaka Deepika', 'Minakshi Kalyanum', 'Tripadi Ganga', and 'Satya Harish Chandra'. He is also credited with reviving the popular Yakshagana 'Sasirekha Parinayam'. His body of work encompasses over fifty solo items and more than twenty-five Nritya Rupakas. As a dedicated guru, he has shaped generations of artists. He serves as the Advisory Board President of the Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society (KHAS) and has held the position of Professor of Bharatanatyam in the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts at the University of Hyderabad. He is also a member of the central dance audition board for assigning top artist gradation at Doordarshan, New Delhi. His significant contributions to Indian classical dance have been widely recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for Kuchipudi, the Kalaratna in 2016, and the Ugadi Puraskaram in 2012, both from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has also been honored with the Ubaya Natya Praina Award (also known as Ubhaya Natya Acharya) and the Natya Kaladhara award. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2018), Kalaratna (2016), Ugadi Puraskaram (2012), Ubaya Natya Praina Award, Natya Kaladhara award.