Aparna Rao

Aparna Cirigiri Laxman Rao (born March 8) is an American performing artist and a certified Kuchipudi dance teacher. She is the founder of Aparna Rao Kuchipudi Dance School.

Early life and education

Rao was born in Hyderabad, India. She holds a master’s degree in Kuchipudi from the University of Silicon Andhra, Milpitas, California, USA. Rao is a certified Kuchipudi dance professional from Telugu University, Hyderabad, AP, and a computer postgraduate from Osmania University. Rao has taken basic training from Smt. R. Prasanna Rani, traditional Kuchipudi training from Pasumarthy Seshu Babu, and technique with improvisation from Yamini Yasoda Kurati.

Career

Rao has been involved in the rich art form of Kuchipudi for the past two decades as a student, dancer, performer, and trainer. She was trained under Guru Smt Prasanna Rani and Pasumarthi Dance style for initial years and later in Vempati Chinna Satyam Dance style under Guru Yamini Yasoda. She also took intensive training in nattuvangam from Guru Renuka Prasad. Since August 2014, Rao has been operating Aparna Rao Kuchipudi Dance School in Royersford and Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, after a break of five years, which involved her move from Illinois to PA, pregnancy, and raising a kid. In Bloomington, Illinois (2007-2009), Rao had a team of dancers whom she groomed for various performances like the Indian festival, Ugadhi, children’s day, and corporate cultural festivals. She was also part of these performances with her group. She is continuing the same with the team of student dancers on the American East Coast, too.

Rao is a member of SAMPADA, which offers a certificate program for Indian classical music and dance in the US and Canada. SAMAPADA certification is given by SiliconAndhra in affiliation with Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University (PSTU), a NAAC-accredited institution. Teachers and or schools affiliated with SAMPADA can have their students pursue junior and senior certificate programs in Carnatic music (Vocal, Veena, Violin, Flute, and Mridangam); Hindustani music (Vocal, Sitar, Violin, Tabla); Bharatnatyam, Andhranatyam, and Kuchipudi.

Rao is also a member of the International Dance Council and participates as a judge for all the dance events of various USA associations like TANA and TAGDV.

Performances

School cultural fest as Mohini in “Mohini Basmasura” dance drama

Nritya Archana’s in Famous Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Bhartiya temple in Chalfont, PA

Sitaram Bagh Temple Hyderabad (Year 2000) – as Parvathi in “Parvathi Kalyanam” Dance drama

AG Tech- Mumbai Cultural Fest (Year 2004)

Holool India Limited – IT cultural fest held at Shilpa Ramam – Hitech City (2005)

Company Cultural Fest of Satyam Computers services in (2007 till 2009) – Bloomington, Illinois

Telugu Association of Bloomington Illinois – Ugadhi Festival (2008)

Festival of India (Normal Downtown – Illinois 2009)

Festival of India (Philadelphia Downtown – 2015, 2016)

Harrisburg, PA – Indo-American Cultural Festival (2017)

Deva Devam Baje – Dance ballet Performed at Telangana Formation Day festival in (Malvern, PA, June 2019)

Mudra Dance Festival – Chalfont PA- Bharatheeya Temple (2016, 2023)

Chinmaya Mission Harley’s Ville ( 2023)

Choreography

Nritta Items for Company Cultural Fests

Deva Devam Bhajhe, dance drama in 2019

Various dance items for Chinmaya Mission Ex: Bala Ramayana musical for Chinmaya Harleysville

Background of Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is one of the eight major Indian classical dances, originating from a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi has its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. Like all major Indian classical dances, it developed as a religious art linked to traveling bards, temples, and spiritual beliefs.