The Kuchipudi Art Academy founded by guru Vempati Chinna Satyam in Chennai and helmed now by Srimayi Vempati conducted their second edition of the four-day Certificate Course in Kuchipudi from 15 -18 May  2025 in memory of its former Secretary Vempati Venkatachalapathy, son of Vempati Chinna Satyam. The course culminated with Vempati’s Yugadi: The Dawn of the New Era on 18 May 2025 at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai.

The Chief Guest of the evening was veteran Bharatanritam exponent Padma Subrahmanyam and the other esteemed guests were Revathi Ramachandran, Bharatanatyam exponent and Director of Nada Gurukulam, Sri Sathya Sai University of Human Excellence and K Mohamed Ibrahim Khaleel, Former Regional Director of ICCR. The evening began with a lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries which was followed by a Welcome Address by C.K. Gariyali, President of the Kuchipudi Art Academy.

Venkatachalapathy was instrumental in giving the Academy a strong and committed leadership, spearheading global tours such as Prathidhwani in 1998, Kuchipudi in 2000, and Global Trout in 2004 covering more than 100 cities across the USA, France, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. He institutionalised events like Kuchipudi Mahotsav and Vempati’s Margazhi Utsav and also played a key role in promoting Kuchipudi Village as a cultural heritage site.

Chief Guest, Padma Subrahmanyam said it was an honour to be a part of an evening in a space, a kshetra that belongs to the ‘Pitamaha of Kuchipudi, Vempati Chinna Satyam’.

The Venkatachalapathy Yuva Puraskar 2025, instituted to recogonise the talent of a male classical dancer each year was conferred on Pasumarthy Kumara Datta. Datta also gave a short Kuchipudi performance preceding the award. This was followed by a Kuchipudi presentation of Reenu Bhargavi C, a student of the Academy.

The Academy also honoured R. Venkatesh who has been the tailor at the Kuchipudi Art Academy for nearly 30 years and has designed and stitched costumes for several solo performances and dance dramas of the Academy.