Being a student of my Guru Dr. Amukta Maalyada Anand for more than 10 years has been one of the most meaningful and transformative journeys of my life. When I look back, I realise that I did not merely learn Kuchipudi during these years—I slowly learnt to understand, respect and live through this beautiful art.

One of the most profound lessons I have learned from Akka is her constant emphasis on putting our “Praanam” into every movement. During corrections in class—whether it is a hand gesture, a posture, a leg movement, or even the smallest detail—she reminds us to dance with our entire praanam. To her, a movement is never merely a movement of the hand, head, or leg; the entire body and soul must move as one. She teaches us that when we put our praanam into what we do, the movement gains life, depth, and authenticity, and only then can it truly connect with the audience. This understanding has profoundly transformed my approach to dance. I have learned that dance is not simply about executing technique correctly, but about allowing the entire soul to move through the body. This beautiful philosophy of hers has changed not only the way I dance, but also the way I understand and experience the art.

There have been many stages, performances, challenges, mistakes, corrections and moments of achievement over a decade. Through every phase, my Guru has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. She has always pushed me to improve, never allowing me to settle for “good enough” when I could become better.

Today, I can proudly say that I am not merely a student who learned Kuchipudi from her, but a student who has been shaped, nurtured, and transformed by her into a more discerning artist and a better human being. The lessons she has imparted go far beyond the boundaries of dance—they have taught me discipline, dedication, humility, expression, and, above all, to give my whole praanam to whatever I choose to do. Her influence has become an inseparable part of my journey as a dancer and as an individual. I will always consider it a privilege and a blessing to have walked this beautiful journey under her guidance.

I will always be grateful for these moments of learning, growing and discovering the beauty of Kuchipudi under her guidance. I sincerely hope to carry forward everything she has taught me and continue to remain a humble student of this beautiful art form.

With gratitude, respect and love,
Smt. Sri Lasya Edara

Dance has always been a very important part of my life, but learning under Maalyada Akka has changed what dance means to me. I once believed that dance was a beautiful way of expressing yourself through movement and abhinaya. Through Akka, I began to understand that it goes far beyond that. She taught me to see dance as something deeply spiritual; a journey where the ultimate purpose is not merely performance, but a sense of surrender and, in its highest form, moksham.

One of the most important things I have learnt from Akka is that knowing a choreography is very different from truly dancing it. She constantly teaches us to understand the meaning behind every line, feel the emotion before expressing it, and completely immerse ourselves in the character we portray. She made me understand that when you become Satyabhama, you cannot simply act like Satyabhama; you have to think, feel and live as her for those moments. That lesson has completely changed the way I approach Kuchipudi and abhinaya.

What inspires me equally is Maalyada Akka herself as an artist. Watching her perform has always been something very special to me. I still remember rehearsing even a small portion of Bhama Kalapam with her during my diploma and how overwhelming that experience felt. It remains one of my most cherished memories, and sharing the stage with her someday is still one of my dreams.

Akka’s teaching goes much beyond correcting steps or preparing us for a performance. She teaches us to understand what we are dancing, why we are dancing it, and to respect the depth and tradition behind Kuchipudi. Her dedication to the art form and the standards she sets for her students constantly inspire me to learn more and become a better artist.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be Maalyada Akka’s student. She has not only taught me Kuchipudi; she has changed the way I see, feel and experience dance. For that, I will always remain grateful.

Joining Bharata Samskriti has been a transformative journey for my daughter. What truly sets this academy apart is the unique, holistic approach to teaching—blending rich theoretical knowledge with rigorous practical training, something rarely found in typical dance classes. Madam explains every aspect with crystal-clear clarity, imparting a deep appreciation for the art form’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Under her grace and dedicated guidance, the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara comes alive. Her encouraging nature and spiritual approach instill an incredible sense of discipline, passion, and vitality in the students. In just one year, I have seen a remarkable shift in my daughter’s focus and devotion. I am deeply grateful to have enrolled my daughter in an institution that honors ancient traditions so systematically, and I wish Bharata Samskriti reach immense heights!

My daughter joined Bharat Samskruti in 2025. She is a very active and curious child who loves to explore everything around her. As a parent, I wanted her to experience and learn an Indian classical dance form, and that is how our journey with Dr. Maalyada began.

What I admire most about Dr. Maalyada is her patience, resilience, poise, and calmness in teaching children. She understands their individual nature and gently brings discipline and focus without taking away their joy of learning.

The most beautiful change I have seen is my daughter developing a genuine love for Kuchipudi. For me, that matters more than simply learning the steps. Seeing her enjoy the dance, connect with it, and look forward to learning more makes me very happy.

I am grateful to Dr. Maalyada and Bharat Samskruti for nurturing this love for our Indian classical art form in my child.

Thank you so much Dr. Maalyada.