Artists from Hyderabad, Telangana, presented a soulful Kuchipudi dance programme titled “Krishnanjali – An Offering to Lord Krishna through Kuchipudi Natyam” at ISKCON Dwarka, New Delhi, as part of the Divine Janmashtami celebrations. The presentation featured students of Jyothi Kalakshetra, Hyderabad, under the guidance and choreography of Jyothi Reddy, Natya Guru and Choreographer.

The programme brought together classical dance, devotion and spirituality, with the artists offering their prayers to Lord Sri Krishna through Kuchipudi. The presentation featured four compositions — Pushpanjali, Dashavataram, Swagatham Krishna and Tarangam.

The programme commenced with Pushpanjali, a traditional salutation offered to the Lord of Dance, Guru, musicians and audience. Presented in Ragam Nattai and Talam Adi, the piece was performed by Godi Anagha Devi.

The energetic Dashavataram depicted the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu — Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. Presented in Ragam Mohana and Misra Chapu Talam, it was performed by P. Sri Vaishno Devi, Lalitha Sri Pinapala, Harshitha Kairamkonda, Yuvasre Phane Surya and Ishanee Khare from Gurgaon.

Swagatham Krishna, the popular Carnatic composition by Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaiyer, brought a joyful devotional mood to the programme. Presented in Ragam Mohana and Talam Adi, the piece was performed by Godi Vijetha Devi Sathish Reddy.

The presentation concluded with Tarangam, a distinctive Kuchipudi item in which dancers perform rhythmic sequences while dancing on the rim of a brass plate. Presented in Ragam Mohana and Talam Adi, Tarangam featured P. Sri Vaishno Devi, Lalitha Sri Pinapala, Harshitha Kairamkonda, Yuvasre Phane Surya and Ishanee Khare.

Speaking on the presentation, Jyothi Reddy, Natya Guru and Choreographer, said, “Kuchipudi is not merely a performing art; it is a path of devotion, discipline and connection with our cultural roots. Every time our dancers perform, it becomes an expression of deep devotion and a way of serving God through our cultural traditions. Presenting Krishnanjali at ISKCON Dwarka was a deeply spiritual experience for our students. We hope that such performances inspire the current generation as well as future generations to understand, respect and carry forward our rich cultural heritage.”

Established in Hyderabad in 2018, the school of arts has grown from a small group of students to more than 150 students trained in Kuchipudi to professional standards. Jyothi Reddy has performed at several prestigious cultural and spiritual platforms in India and abroad and has received honours including the Nritya Ratna Award, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Award and Sthri Shakthi Award, among other recognitions.

Godi Vijetha Devi Sathish Reddy, who performed Swagatham Krishna, said, “For me, performing Kuchipudi at ISKCON Dwarka was not simply a performance; it was an offering. The dancers are deeply inspired by the classical dance tradition and the cultural values underlying it. Every performance becomes an expression of our devotion and an opportunity to serve God through our culture. Through such presentations, we hope to inspire the present generation and future generations to remain connected with our traditions, culture and Sanatana Dharma.”

The presentation featured young dancers P. Sri Vaishno Devi, Lalitha Sri Pinapala, Harshitha Kairamkonda, Yuvasre Phane Surya, Ishanee Khare and Godi Anagha Devi, who came together to present their art in New Delhi. P. Sri Vaishno Devi, the great-granddaughter of the inspirational philanthropist G. Pulla Reddy, continues to pursue Kuchipudi with dedication and devotion.

The event reflected the collective efforts of the students, music orchestra, supporting families and dedicated technicians, who strive in their humble way to preserve and promote Sanatana Dharma, Indian traditions and cultural heritage. The performers, inspired by the spiritual foundation and cultural values of classical dance, view every performance as an expression of deep devotion and a meaningful way of serving God through culture.

Through their dedication to Kuchipudi, the young artists seek to keep India’s spiritual and artistic traditions alive and make them meaningful for the present generation while inspiring future generations to respect, preserve and carry forward the country’s rich cultural heritage.