HYDERABAD: Renowned classical dancer Nataraja Ramakrishna, 88, passed away after prolonged illness at NIMS in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Ramakrishna was instrumental in the revival of Andhra Natyam, a temple dance tradition performed in the state. He also helped revive Perini Shivatandavam, developed during the Kakatiya regime in Warangal. His “Bhaama Kalaapam” earned him followers from across the world.
A former chairman of AP Sangeeta Nataka Academy, Ramakrishna was born in a family of artistes in Bali district of Rajashtan in 1933. At Ramakrishna Math in Madras and Mahatma Gandhi's ashram, he met with gurus like Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, Vedantam Laxminarayana Sastry, Naidupeta Rajamma and Pendyala Satyabhama and learnt various art forms from them.
Ramakrishna's performance at an assembly of eminent poets, art critics and scholars at Nagpur was the turning point in his life. He learnt various languages, dance forms and music. He popularised Kuchipudi in the state and established a dance school, Nrityaniketan, in 1955 at Hyderabad. He wrote more than 40 books.
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed his grief over the demise. He recalled the services of Ramakrishna as the chairman of Sangeeta Nataka Academy. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.