Perini Shivathandavam (పెరిని శివతాండవం) needs to be fostered

HONOURING A MAESTRO: Minister for Sports and Culture M. Satyanarayana Rao with Nataraja Ramakrishna and his disciples in Hyderabad on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Octogenarian dance guru who single-handedly revived the extinct valorous Telugu dance form of Perini Sivathandavam Nataraja Ramakrishna made a fervent plea for safeguarding the dance form for posterity.

"I have put in my everything into reviving this great art form. I do not need any help. Help the dance form so that the future Telugu generations will get to see it," was his suggestion to Minister for Culture and Sports M. Satyanarayana Rao, who called on the dance maestro at his residence in Begumpet here on Friday.

The Minister handed over the monthly honorarium amount announced by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the eve of Ugadi, to Padmasri Dr. Ramakrishna for his immense contribution to fostering the growth of the distinct Andhra dance forms of Andhra Natyam, Perini Sivathandavanm and Kuchipudi.

Mr. Rao said it was an honour for the State to felicitate an artistic genius like him. The honorarium amount of Rs. 15,000 for three months was handed over to him.

House site

To suggestions by media persons that the maestro be given a house site, the Minister said he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.

However, the dance guru refused to accept any further assistance and said it was the pristine dance form of Perini Sivathandavam that needed all the help. "Give something to this unique Telugu art form," affirmed the man who still teaches the robust dance form at the ripe age in all humility as his awe-struck disciples looked on.

Courtesy: The Hindu