Uma Rama Rao
K. Uma Rama Rao was an Indian Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, academician, research scholar, author, and teacher. She was a prominent figure in the field of Indian classical dance, known for her lifelong dedication to Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. She founded the Lasya Priya Dance Academy in Hyderabad in 1985, which became a significant institution for training dancers in classical dance forms. In 2003, she was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contributions to Kuchipudi by India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.
Early life and education
K. Uma Rama Rao was born on 4 July 1938 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to Dr. V. V. Krishna Rao and Sowbhagyam. She was raised in a conservative family that initially did not support her pursuit of dance as a career. However, her marriage to K. Rama Rao, a lawyer, provided her with the encouragement and support to follow her passion for dance. She credited him for standing by her throughout her career.She began her dance training at the age of five, initially learning Bharatanatyam under Guru Prahlada Sarma, and later mastering Kuchipudi under the guidance of renowned gurus like Vedantam Prahlada Sarma and C.R. Acharyulu. She also pursued formal education, earning a postgraduate degree in economics from Osmania University, Hyderabad.
Career
K. Uma Rama Rao began her career as a performer in her early years, gaining recognition for her expressive and technically proficient performances in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. She performed extensively across India and internationally, earning acclaim for her ability to convey deep emotions through her dance. Her performances were noted for their authenticity and adherence to the traditional aspects of Kuchipudi, while also incorporating innovative choreography.In addition to her work as a performer, Uma Rama Rao was a dedicated educator. She served as a senior lecturer in dance at Sri Tyagaraja Government College of Music and Dance in Hyderabad from 1969 to 1988, where she taught Bharatanatyam. She later became an associate professor at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, where she continued to impart her knowledge of classical dance. In 1994, she earned a PhD from Telugu University, receiving a gold medal for her thesis on the 'Yakshagana Prabandhas of King Shahaji II,' a Maharashtrian ruler of Thanjavur who composed 20 Yakshagana dance dramas in the Telugu language.