About Guru

Kalyani Avula has been extremely fortunate to be a disciple of Sri. D.V.Satya Kumar and Padmashree Smt. Shobha Naidu. Ever since she was tutored by these great gurus, she has been passionate about Kuchipudi and has been continuously learning and performing this great dance form. In 1994 in recognition of her dedication and talent, Sri Satyam Kuchipudi Nrutya Niketan awarded her the title of “Natya Kaumudi”. She had the honor of performing alongside Smt. Shobha Naidu during various performances.

After more than 200 performances both in India and the US, she felt the desire to share and pass on her experiences and knowledge of this tradition of Kuchipudi dance form to the next generation of aspiring artists. This desire of hers transformed to establishing the Abhinaya Kuchipudi Dance Academy in Frisco and Flower Mound, Texas. In 2005 she was awarded the title of “Natya Visharada” by Smt Shoba Naidu’s Kuchipudi Art Academy.

Over the years Kalyani Avula and her students have performed at various events organized by cultural and non-profit organizations including India Association of North Texas (IANT), Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX), Discover India, Vibha, Telugu Association of North America (TANA), American Telugu Association (ATA), North America Telugu Society (NATS), National American Telugu Association (NATA), DFW Hindu Temple etc. She composed and choreographed “Sankranthi Sambaralu” and “Siva Ganga” dance ballets. Her directorial productions include “Sri Krishna Parijatham”, “Navarasa Natabhamini”, Sri Krishna Saranam Mama” and “Vipranarayana”.