Nrityanjali
18th February, 2017
B Sudheer Rao disciples, Kuchipudi
Vedavathi Sankatala Bhagavatharini, Harikatha
Anantharam Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, Mahbubabad
The first day of the two day festival in Anantharam saw Guru Bompelli Sudheer Rao, exponent of Kuchipudi, with his disciples from Warangal doing Natuvangam and with his melodious singing for his students they danced their way into the hearts of the audience. They were very young and yet seemed to have a good grasp and command over the nritya and abhinayam. The little ones transported the audience into a world of their own. This was followed by a ‘Hari Katha’ by Smt. Vedavathi Bhagavatharini.
Artists

B Sudheer Rao disciples

Vedavathi Sankatala Bhagavatharini
Venue
The Jagannatha Venkateswara Swamy temple, located atop hillocks in Anantharam village, is turning into a sought-after place for nature-lovers and devotees of Lord Venkateswara. The temple, which is said to have been built in the pre-Kakatiya period, around the 13th century, is located amid wild bushes, with a charming lake at its foothills.
According to a local lore, one Anantha (Sri Nukala Ramanjaneyulu) used to climb the hillock and pray to Lord Jagannatha. With his consorts Subhadra and Balabhadra, Lord Jagannatha appeared before Anantha and received his prayers. Construction of the temple is believed to have been initiated by him soon after that. Much later, few locals installed a Lord Venkateswara idol, which came to be patronised by the public. Owing to unfriendly environs and wilderness, not many dared to visit the temple for quite some time.
With the help of local landlords, it was only in the 19th century that the temple was consecrated and developed from its neglected state. More deities were installed under the patronage of Sri. Nukala Ramachandra Reddy. The temple is now being managed by the State Endowments Departments.