Andhranatyam Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher and Founder, Nartanasala
Disciple of Late Guru Padmasri Dr. Nataraja Ramakrshna garu an Abhinava Satyabhama Guru Shri Kala Krishna garu
Sunila Gollapudi has been practicing Andhranatyam under the able tutelage of Late Guru Padmasri Dr. Nataraja Ramakrshna Abhinava Satyabhama Guru Shri Kala Krishna. Sunila was from the first batch of students to complete a Diploma in Andhranatyam from PSTU and has been a graded artist with Doordarshan and Cultural Affairs at Hyderabad. She is currently pursuing her MPA (Master of Performing Arts) in Andhranatyam from PSTU and aspires to do her thesis in the same.
She performed over 700 dance recitals at various places within India and abroad. She specializes in Agama, Asthana, and Prabandha Nartana Traditions of Andhranatyam. In Prabandha style she is well known for her deep skill in Navajanardhana Parijatham and Golla Kalapam under the able tutelage of her Guru Shri Kala Krishna garu. Sunila has won several prizes in National and International level dance competitions as a child. Sunila is known for her satwikaabhinayam and also specializes in Javalis and Padams that she trained under the devadasi tradition. She is also trained in Adhyatma Ramayana Sankeerthanas under the Late Devadasi Smt Saride Manikyamma garu.
Sunila founded Nartanasala in 2013 with an intention of promoting Andhranatyam. She regularly performs under her banner, various traditional choreographies and her new experiments in Andhranatyam.
Sunila has been instrumental in building a dedicated website for Andhranatyam that consolidates all the information about Andhranatyam, its Repertoire, its antiquity, Gurus, Performers, and the latest event updates. Please visit www.andhranatyam.org to learn more about Anshranatyam and subscribe for all updates.
Sunila is currently teaching Andhranatyam to very selected students and provides advanced training in the dance form. She picks students who demonstrate a commitment to learning the art form in detail and explore the intricacies of the choreographies. The minimum age limit is 11-12 years and preference is to those who have undergone training in dance with any guru in any dance form for at least 2-3 years.
There are two ancient dance traditions in India, Natya Mela, performed by men, and Nattuva Mela, which women perform. Andhranatyam belongs to the Nattuva Mela tradition. Andhranatyam, the ancient classical dance form of the Telugu region (Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Andhra), has been in vogue for the past 2000 years. It may sound new to people, but it is as old as the temples constructed. It was performed in the Buddhist Aramas, temples, and royal courts by the Telugu regions’ cultured and dedicated female artists. Andhranatyam is formerly known by different names like Aradhana, Kacheri, Darbar, Kelika, Chinna Melam, Mejuvani, and Dasi Ata, etc., Unlike other female dances like Bharatanatyam, temple, and court dances, Andhranatyam had become inert at one point in time. It was later revived in 1970 and is being propagated for the last 50 years on national and international platforms, particularly in the Telugu-speaking regions.
Andhranatyam includes beautiful, delicate body movements with graceful gestures and slenderness of the Kaisiki Vritti, performed by the female artists. It has Agama, Asthana, and Prabandha styles in it. It is performed in Marga tradition in temples as prescribed in Agama sastras. With a tinge of the Desi tradition, it is performed in the classical style in temple asthanas and courts of kings called Kacheri, Darbar ata, etc. The prabandha style is famous for its classical regional rendition with lokadharmi.​
