Dr. Kiran Vedantam
President & Founder, Kuchipudi Heritage
Dr. Kiran Vedantam is a trained practitioner of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, a scholar, and the Founder and President of Kuchipudi Heritage. Her artistic foundation was established under the guidance of Guru Bhagavatula Venkata Rama Sarma, from whom she received formal training in both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, grounded in discipline, repertoire, and traditional pedagogy.
She later continued her advanced study of Kuchipudi under the mentorship of Vedantam Venkata Naga Chalapathi Rao, deepening her engagement with the stylistic nuances, technique, and expressive grammar of the form. She holds Diplomas in both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, reflecting her structured and comprehensive training in the classical tradition.
In addition to her artistic credentials, Dr. Kiran holds a Master’s and PhD in Commerce and Business Management and brings extensive leadership experience in organizational governance and institutional development. This interdisciplinary foundation informs her vision for Kuchipudi Heritage — an institution dedicated to the preservation, scholarship, and global advancement of Kuchipudi through structured programming, research initiatives, curated festivals, and educational outreach.
Her work is guided by a commitment to parampara, authenticity, and the long-term sustainability of classical arts within contemporary cultural landscapes.
Vedantam Venkata Rama Raghava
Artistic Director, Kuchipudi Heritage
Raghava hails from the historic Kuchipudi village in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, and belongs to the distinguished Vedantam family — one of the hereditary families entrusted with preserving the Kuchipudi tradition. He is the son of the renowned Guru Vedantam Rattaiah Sarma, and received rigorous gurukula-style training under his father and eminent gurus including Vempati Chinna Satyam, Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma and Smt. Sobha Naidu
Having trained during a pivotal period in the evolution of Kuchipudi, Raghava developed command over both the traditional village bani and the codified Vempati style, bringing depth and balance to his artistry. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kuchipudi from Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.
A seasoned performer, choreographer, and teacher, Raghava is known for his expertise in Yakshagana repertoire and his nuanced portrayal of both male and female roles. His choreographic works reflect strong grounding in sahitya, tala structure, and dramatic expression.
As Artistic Director, he guides the artistic vision of Kuchipudi Heritage, ensuring that programming remains rooted in parampara while engaging contemporary audiences with integrity and scholarship.
Dr. Vedantam Venkata Naga Chalapathi Rao
Secretary, Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society | Sangeet Natak Akademi “Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar” Awardee
Dr. Vedantam Chalapathi Rao hails from the illustrious Vedantam family of Kuchipudi, known for its rich ‘Natya Parampara’. Initiated into dance at age five by his father, the renowned Guru Vedantam Rataiah Sarma, he was further nurtured by legends including Vempati Chinna Satyam, Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, and his uncles Vedantam Raghavayya and Vedantam Radhesyam.
A master of the traditional female impersonation (Stri Vesham), he is equally powerful in masculine roles like ‘Hiranyakashipu’ and ‘Bali Chakravarthy’. He holds a Post Graduate degree and is a gold medal research scholar from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, bringing both artistry and scholarship to the form.
In 2006, he made history as the first Kuchipudi artist to receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s “Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.” A global performer, he has toured the US (70+ shows), China, and Japan with ICCR, and has graced major festivals like Khajuraho and Ananya.
As Secretary of KHAS, he is dedicated to preserving the purity of the Kuchipudi tradition while guiding its scholarly and artistic future.
Sri Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastry
Advisory Board President, Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society | Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee (2018)
Born in 1958 in the art’s cradle, Kuchipudi village, Shri Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastry stands as a revered master and senior torchbearer of the tradition. He received intensive training under Gurus Vedantam Parvateesam, Pasumarthy Venugopal Krishna Sarma, and Vempati Chinna Satyam, later enhancing his artistry with a Diploma in Bharatanatyam from the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai.
A virtuoso performer and gifted choreographer, he has captivated audiences across the globe, including multiple tours of the USA for workshops and performances. His choreographic oeuvre includes acclaimed dance-dramas like Gajaneeyam, Sri Ramakatha Saaram, and Rasa Leela. As a guru, he has shaped generations of artists now renowned in their own right.
Shri Sastry’s contributions have been honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2018) , the Kalaratna (2016) , and the Ugadi Puraskaram (2012) from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
As Advisory Board, he lends his profound wisdom and experience to guide KHAS, ensuring the institution remains deeply rooted in tradition while it shapes the future of Kuchipudi.
🌺 Founders’ Message
Dr. Kiran Vedantam and Dr. Venkata Chalapathi Vedantam
Founders, Kuchipudi Heritage
Kuchipudi is more than an art form — it is a living lineage, a sacred inheritance, and a refined system of knowledge that has travelled across centuries through devotion, discipline, and parampara.
Kuchipudi Heritage was born from a deep conviction that preservation requires structure, scholarship, and collective responsibility. As artists and custodians of tradition, we do not merely perform; we carry forward memory, philosophy, aesthetics, and cultural identity. My vision for this institution is to create a platform where tradition is honored in its purity while being positioned within contemporary global and academic dialogue.
With a background in academic research and institutional leadership, I believe strongly in building sustainable frameworks for the arts — frameworks that support rigorous training, scholarly exploration, curated festivals, and meaningful intergenerational exchange. Heritage must not remain symbolic; it must be actively nurtured, documented, studied, and celebrated.
Through Kuchipudi Heritage, we aim to bring together gurus, scholars, performers, and rasikas in a shared commitment to excellence and authenticity. Our work seeks to strengthen the intellectual foundations of the art while expanding its global presence with integrity.
May this institution serve as a bridge — between past and future, lineage and innovation, devotion and scholarship.
With gratitude and responsibility,
Dr. Kiran Vedantam & Dr. Venkata Chalapathi Vedantam
Heritage Arts Society operates with a clear distinction between governance, artistic leadership, and advisory oversight, ensuring transparency, accountability, and excellence in all its initiatives.
Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society 