‘I’m definitely going to heaven...god knows that’

CHENNAI: Madhavapeddi  Murthy has learnt Kuchipudi  under the Tutelage of Guru Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam, founder-director, Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai , for more than 20 years. A recipient of the Kalaimamani award, instituted by the Tamil Nadu Government, he has performed at various temples all over the country and also  travelled extensively, giving performances, demonstrations, and also workshops in countries like  USA, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, South Africa, Mauritius. Murthy also runs his dance institution, Siva Foundation, in the city.

If there was a dare/challenge you would like to give god what would it be?
 Make human beings live together in peace.

If you had the power to grant one gift to god, what would it be?
I would give him the power to distance himself from any politician at any given time.

Your most godly encounter?
Serving the needy and getting their hearty blessings in return.

Funniest encounter in a place of worship?
People eagerly looking at other in the temple, instead of looking at god.

A really quirky or annoying habit that you have in terms of being spiritual or a believer?
I keep telling people to have faith in god.

What do you think will offend god?
When you ask for too many boons.

If god appeared to you, what would you say?
Give unconditional love to humanity.

Do you think god is a man or woman? Why? As a man, what would haunt him? As a woman, what would haunt her?
God is  Sarvantharyami.  If he is a man he will be wondering how come the women are so beautiful. If he is a woman he will be wondering how men are so intelligent.

If there was one thing you’d want god to change, what would it be? Why?
I wouldn’t want him to keep on giving riches to the rich.

Hollywood or Bollywood, which industry would you want to be in ‘as punishment’?  
Hollywood. Automatically Bollywood would come to me.

If you’re going to hell, who are the three people you’d want to see there? Why?
When I am definitely sure I’ll be going to heaven, there is no point thinking about whom I want to  see in hell.

Indian gods or Greek gods? Which god would you be friends with?
Indian gods, obviously. Shirdi Sai Baba would be my friend.

(As told to Thushara Ann Mathew)