The Mosalikantis have been teaching Kuchipudi to hundreds of students over decades, in an enriching and delightful way, uncovering deep nuances that transforms one’s understanding of life through the practice of this artform.
Born (1929) during the refulgence of nationalist fervor, when the traditional art forms of India were revived and brought again to the main stream of the national art scenario, Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam breathed a new life into the form. Guru Vempati belongs to a pedigree of 9th generation of the traditional Kuchipudi parampara. A child of Varalakshmamma and Chalamayya, Vempati had the earlier training under the tutelage of Tadepally Perayya and Pasumarti Kondalarayudu. What sharpened his earlier talent and molded him into a prospective Natyacharya was the finer and more subtler nuances he learnt under the able guidance of one of the well known celebrities of Kuchipudi dance, Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry. As a performing artiste his contribution was though not of a very great significance, he did display his talent as a budding artiste in the roles such as Satyabhama and Shiva.
Jaikishore and Padmavani Mosalikanti are highly sought-after performers and Gurus. They are also nattuvanars and choreographers of their individual might. As a couple, the Mosalikantis are known for their synergy and chemistry on stage and have toured extensively in India and countries like USA and Russia giving duet performances which were critically acclaimed, gracing esteemed festivals and conducting workshops in major cities.
For Jaikishore and Padmavani, dance transcends mere physicality, intertwining with aspects such as values, ethics, and discipline. Their teaching philosophy focuses on shaping dancers proficient in Kuchipudi through a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates music, literature, yoga, and more. Their relentless dedication to education and performance has motivated many young dancers to engage with and sustain this classical dance tradition.
Shivamohanam is an institution in Chennai that is a testament to the shared passion of Padmavani and Jaikishore Mosalikanti for their art. Founded in 2002 and legally set up in 2014, Shivamohanam has been instrumental in training the next generation of Kuchipudi dancers following the Mosalikantis’ vision of cultivating well-rounded artists who pledge their talents to societal advancements. Shivamohanam has (We have) a tailor-made method of teaching which also emphasises on spirituality, values, morals and ethos. This helps students to bloom as not just good dancers and performers, but as good humans who contribute to the art and it’s growth. Ever since its inception, the school has been growing steadily with many of its students performing their solo debut performances and heightening as they make their mark on the art community. Shivamohanam now has a branch in Anna Nagar, Chennai which is being run by Smt. Ashritha Keshav while assistant teacher Sammohana helps instruct at the main branch in Ramapuram, Chennai.
© Shivamohanam 2025