2,800 Kuchipudi dancers set world record

HYDERABAD - About 2,800 Kuchipudi artistes performed the centuries old dance form here Sunday to earn a place in the Guinness World Records, an official said.

Hailing from 16 countries, including India, the dancers held the audience spellbound at a colourful programme at Gacchibowli Stadium.

An official of Guinness World Records, who was present on the occasion, handed over a certificate to the organisers.

Organised jointly by California-based Silicon Andhra and Andhra Pradesh government, the event saw the artists performing the ‘maha brunda natyam’ in the mould of Sidhendra Yogi’s dance form.

President Pratibha Patil, Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development D. Purandareswari and hundreds of others enjoyed the splendid show.

“I congratulate all the artistes who participated in this feat. It is a matter of pride for the country,” Patil said after watching the 20-minute performance.

The record-breaking performance was organised on the last day of the second International Kuchipudi Dance Convention.

Over 4,000 delegates from 16 countries participated in the convention, which brought together dancers from living legends to students.

The event aims to promote Kuchipudi and inspire the youth to know more about the dance form.

The president also praised Purandareswari, who surprised the participants by her performance Saturday. Clad in a silk saree, the junior minister danced for almost 15 minutes and was cheered enthusiastically by the audience.

Purnadwareswari, daughter of Telugu actor and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, learnt Kuchipudi during her childhood.

She hails from Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, considered the home of Kuchipudi.