Born in Amalapuram, brought up in Rajamundry, Kuchipudi dancer Lalitha Sindhuri, who’s pursuing her doctoral research in dance in the city, owes her popularity to the classical form as much as the numbers of the legendary singer Ghantasala. Having performed over 600 shows to date, the grand-daughter of Vempati Venkatanarayana has made a name for herself by choreographing Ghantasala’s songs in adherence to classical grammar and public taste. Her performance to the ace singer’s patriotic numbers such as Swatantrame maa janma hakkani and Andhra jyothi have fetched her immense recognition. Listening to old film songs that her father played in her childhood piqued her interest to watch old films, she says the liking was organic.
“I began dancing in school for the annual day/cultural events. My father realised my interest and got me to learn Kuchipudi under the likes of Vedantham Satya Narasimha Sastry and Vedantham Venkata Chalapathi. I used to win prizes in most competitions I went, but what meant more to me was the guru’s interest to teach and motivate me.” Talking about what stands out in Ghantasala’s patriotic songs, she says it’s his bhavam and how it takes her into a different emotional zone altogether. “Involuntarily, I used to have tears and his voice had a depth, what we call ardhratha (intensity).” There was initial opposition from a few for her interest in film dances, but her father stressed that film numbers choreographed by the likes of Vempati China Sathyam and Pasumarthi Krishna Murthy would only help her understand dance better.
“I understood what distinguishes a film song from the classical form with respect to the context and the presentation. With respect to private songs of Ghantasala garu and other singers, I had to choreograph my numbers. If you’re presenting something, what’s most important to reach the audience hearts. With Kuchipudi kritis and film songs, there’s a situational relevance behind the songs, with private songs, I thought of aspects that would make an item interesting.” A computer science engineer by qualification, she overcame the desire to do a 9-5 job to pursue a career in dance. “Dance has always been a part of my life, I thought I could find a job for myself and practice dance simultaneously. I really loved my subject too, yet I felt I wouldn’t be doing justice to the craft if I try practicing it after a job. It was important to understand the body, music and literature too.”
She finds choreographing film songs and classical performances equally challenging. “In film songs, it’s important not to overdo things, it can’t be overtly classical either. With respect to the classical form, I used to only perform to recorded items before. Now, I am making my own rhythmic patterns to a particular song and then recording it,” she talks of her progress.
Having completed her Masters, diploma and certificate courses in dance, she mentions that the academic side to dance opened her mind. “You start appreciating little things, the nuances more, thanks to the theoretical base.” Sindhuri’s heading to the Barnard College, US next for a nine-month fellowship.
“Both Ghantasala’s songs and the form have given me an identity and they complement each other. The form gave me a base and learning under good gurus gave me the foundation and helped me explore.”