Vedantam Ramakrishnayya

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Vedantam Ramakrishnayya (1886 – 1971) was a distinguished figure in the Indian classical dance form of Kuchipudi. Born to Smt. Paavathamma and Sri Janaardhanayya, he was later adopted by Vedaantham Parvathaalu and Chandramma. Ramakrishnaiah received his dance training from Chintha Venkataramayya and his elder brothers Venkatachalapathi, Venkateswara Sastry, and Lakshminarayana. He also honed his musical skills under the tutelage of Venkateswara Sastry and Challapalli Sitharamayya. His career began at the tender age of ten, where he performed minor roles such as Lava, Kusa, Lohithaasya, Prahlaada, and Dharmaangada. He gained significant popularity for his heroic portrayals in various dance dramas, including Devendra, Aniruddha, Gaya, Sri Krishna, Raama, Lakshman, and Dharmaraaja. Critics lauded his role as Harischandra as unsurpassed. Beyond the stage, Vedantam Ramakrishnayya also ventured into cinema, acting as Dharmaraaja in the film "Maayaabazaar" in 1935. He collaborated with D.V. Subbarao in the Indian Dramatic Company at Machilipatnam. Ramakrishnayya led the "VEDAANTHAM VAARI MELAM" troupe for an extended period, conducting performances and imparting training in dance, music, and dramatics. He was instrumental in encouraging and nurturing many young aspirants in the field and sought to introduce appropriate costumes and stage décor in his dance dramas. His contributions to Kuchipudi were recognized with honors from several Estate Zamindars, including Elamarru in Krishna District in 1934. In 1964, he received a special honor from the Andhra Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi during the All India Dance Festival in Hyderabad. He also mentored other prominent Kuchipudi artists, including Vedantam Parvateesam. Awards & Honours: Special Honour (1964), Honour by Zamindars (1934).