AKHILANDESHWARI

Akhilandeshwari, known fondly as Akhila, is a distinguished Kuchipudi artist based in the United States with over two decades of immersive training and performance experience.  A senior disciple of Smt. Sasikala Penumarthi, one of the world's leading exponents of Kuchipudi, Akhila is one of the few Kuchipudi artists today who was trained in the traditional guru-shishya system of learning art. She has also received advanced mentorship from Guru Bala Kondala Rao of Visakhapatnam, whose disciples include many of today's respected Kuchipudi gurus.

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Since her solo debut in 2009, Akhila has performed widely across the United States, including at prestigious institutions such as Emory University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Middlebury College, where she has also offered lecture-demonstrations.  Akhila has performed in key cultural centers across India, including Kuchipudi village, Odisha, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Visakhapatnam, earning recognition from connoisseurs and fellow artists.  Her appearances also include select international stages, such as London’s prestigious Lansdowne Club.  Akhila continues the tradition of nritya seva through temple performances that uphold the spiritual essence of the art.

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Akhila is widely recognized for her expressive depth, graceful command of movement, and versatility in portraying both male and female characters with authenticity and nuance.  Her captivating portrayals in iconic dance dramas choreographed by Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam—such as Krishna in Rukmini Kalyanam, Rukmini in Sri Krishna Parijatham, Lakshmi in Ksheera Sagara Mathanam, and Satyabhama in Bhamakalapam—have won acclaim from both audiences and critics.   Akhila has also enchanted as Lord Ranganatha in Andal Kalyanam, the Magician in Swapna Vijayam, and Surpanakha in Sri Rama Pattabhishekam choreographed by Smt. Sasikala.

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A committed teacher, Akhila began assisting her guru early on at the Academy of Kuchipudi Dance in Atlanta and has taught independently for nearly a decade, guiding students in the Vempati tradition with a rare combination of technical precision and emotional insight.

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In 2023, driven by a deep desire to further her artistic growth, Akhila paused her teaching, performance, and medical career to immerse herself in the traditional roots of Kuchipudi. She lived and trained with Guru Pasumarthy Rattaiah Sharma—a legendary doyen of Kuchipudi Yakshagana—in Kuchipudi village, Andhra Pradesh. Under his rigorous mentorship, she was initiated into a comprehensive system of training that spans foundational technique, solo repertoire, Yakshagana, and Kalapam. Guru Rattaiah Sharma has entrusted her with preserving and transmitting this rich legacy to future generations.

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Akhila brings a unique perspective to Kuchipudi art shaped by her academic background in Political Economy and South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley, her professional career in medicine, and by her dedicated study of two distinct Kuchipudi traditions.  Her work bridges artistic excellence and deep spiritual inquiry, guided by the belief that Kuchipudi is a transformative path—for performer, student, and audience alike.​​​​​