Yelamanchili Hanumantha Rao

🪔 About

Yelamanchili Hanumantha Rao, a distinguished Kuchipudi dancer, was born on February 1, 1967. He embarked on his dance journey at the age of 18, commencing his training in 1985 at the Kuchipudi Kalakshetra. He received initial guidance from Smt. Bala, Sir Mahankali, Sir Ramachandra Murthy, Sir Hari Ramamurthy, and rhythm teacher Sir Surya Kanti Lal, all of whom worked under the legendary Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. Hanumantha Rao later became a direct disciple of Guru Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam. His professional performing career began in 1988, followed by his participation in dance ballets from 1991, often alongside his guru's troupe. He has extensively toured major cities across India, gracing prestigious dance festivals such as Khajuraho, Konark, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Sangeet Natak Akademi Delhi, and South Central Zone Nagpur. His international performances include tours to the USA, Netherlands, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore with Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and his ensemble. Yelamanchili Hanumantha Rao has portrayed significant roles in numerous dance ballets, including Pramadha Gana and Gollavadu in "Srinivasa Kalyanam," Ananda in "Chandalika," Rukmi in "Rukmini Kalyanam," and Vyasa Maha Muni in "Keerataarjuniyam," among many others. He was honored with the "Outstanding Young Person in Kuchipudi Dance" award by the Waltair Jaycees. Since 2003, he has been serving as a dance Master at Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam's Kuchipudi Kala Kshetra in Visakhapatnam, where he also contributes to dance compositions. He recently conducted a dance workshop in Hong Kong. Awards & Honours: Outstanding young person in Kuchipudi dance.