About the Artist

Akhilandeshwari, known fondly as Akhila, is a Kuchipudi artist based in the United States. For over two decades, she has been a devoted disciple of Smt. Sasikala Penumarthi, master disciple of Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam, training under her in the traditional guru-shishya parampara. Under Guru Sasikala’s guidance, Akhila has honed her skills not only in performance but also in teaching and choreography.  She has also received advanced training from the revered Guru Bala Kondala Rao of Visakhapatnam, India—an eminent artist and teacher whose students include many of today’s leading Kuchipudi exponents.​

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Since her solo debut in 2009, Akhila has performed at a wide range of cultural and artistic venues across the United States and India. She has danced at esteemed US institutions such as Middlebury College, Emory University, and UNC Chapel Hill, where she was also invited to give a lecture-demonstration for the Department of Religious Studies.  Akhila has had the honor of performing in some of India's most culturally significant centers—including the historic Kuchipudi village, Odisha, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Visakhapatnam—where her performances were met with praise from connoisseurs and fellow artists.  She was invited to perform at the famous Lansdowne Club in Mayfair, London, where Kuchipudi was presented for the first time at the venue.  In addition to stage performances, Akhila offers nritya seva—a sacred offering of dance—during major temple festivals across the U.S., continuing the spiritual and devotional lineage of the art.

 
Recognized for her graceful command of movement and alluring stage presence, Akhila is especially celebrated for her ability to embody a wide range of characters—male or female—with remarkable conviction and emotional depth.  Among the acclaimed dance dramas choreographed by Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam, Akhila is particularly recognized for her compelling portrayal of Lord Krishna alongside her guru as Rukmini in Rukmini Kalyanam (The Wedding of Rukmini), and as Goddess Lakshmi in Ksheera Sagara Mathanam.  Under the direction of Smt. Sasikala Penumarthi, Akhila has captivated audiences with memorable roles such as Lord Ranganatha opposite her guru as Andal in Andal Kalyanam (The Bliss of Andal), the enchanting Magician in Swapna Vijayam (a Kuchipudi adaptation of The Nutcracker), and Surpanakha in Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (The Coronation of Sri Rama).  Her portrayal of Rukmini in the Kuchipudi Academy, Chennai’s production of Sri Krishna Parijatam in Dallas, TX, and of the iconic Satyabhama in Bhamakalapam by Kuchipudi Kalaa Kendra, Visakhapatnam, earned unanimous appreciation from audiences and critics alike.

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In addition to her performances, from a young age, she served as an assistant teacher under her guru at the Academy of Kuchipudi Dance in Atlanta. For nearly a decade, she has also taught the Vempati style of Kuchipudi privately.  Akhila has a gift for instilling in her students the pursuit of excellence while nurturing expressive artistry that is deeply truthful and uplifting.

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Akhila holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Economy and South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Medicine. She has worked as a medical provider for many years while continuing to teach and perform Kuchipudi, embodying a unique blend of creativity, discipline, and service in all aspects of her life.

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Driven by a profound desire to deepen her art, Akhila made a momentous decision in 2023 to pause her teaching, performances, and medical career. She sought to immerse herself fully in the roots of Kuchipudi by training with the legendary Guru Pasumarthy Rattaiah Sharma, the revered now 85 year old doyen of Kuchipudi Yakshagana, in Kuchipudi village.  Recognizing Akhila's exceptional talent and dedication, Guru Rattaiah Sharma graciously accepted her as his disciple and entrusted her with a comprehensive body of knowledge—starting from an extensive system of fundamentals, to a wide solo repertoire, and progressing to the advanced realms of Yakshagana and Kalapam.  He has bestowed on Akhila a responsibility of teaching the art to the next generation.  This transformative discipleship marks a pivotal moment in Akhila’s artistic journey, as she continues to evolve under the guidance of one of the most esteemed masters of traditional Kuchipudi.  

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As an heir to two distinct yet intertwined lineages of Kuchipudi, Akhila is dedicated to honoring the truth and beauty inherent in each tradition. For her, the goal of art is to bring forth the inner world of the soul, allowing it to express its deepest truths.  Akhila believes that Kuchipudi is not merely a performance art, but a powerful vehicle for transformation—transforming the performer, the student, and the audience alike. Through her work, she aspires to be a medium of change and self-discovery.