Product Details

• Actors: Padma Chebrolu
• Directors: David Morrison
• Format: Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC, Surround Sound
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Cultural Centre of India LLC
• DVD Release Date: June 30, 2005
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000A3E8V4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,133 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

Feedback and questions related this DVD are welcome. You can contact Padma Chebrolu at [e-mail]

About the Actor

Padma Chebrolu started learning dance at the age of three in India. She attended several gurus and mastered Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Mohini Attam and other classical dance styles. Some of Padma’s gurus include; Dr. Uma Rama Rao, Lakshman Rao and K. V. Chalam. Padma Chebrolu created the "Dances of India" series which includes DVDs, CDs, Calendars, and Books. She is also the founder and executive director of World Cultures TV, which creates TV programs and movies to educate global citizens and to celebrate world cultures. Padma Chebrolu’s background in education includes MBA & M.Ed in Information Technology from US. She also has a degree in Bharata Natyam from India. She works as an IT manager at a major corporation. Padma is the artistic director of Cultural Centre of India. Along with operating a dance studio, she conducts lectures, demonstrations, workshops and performances at many universities, museums, corporations, and performing art schools. Padma extensively writes articles about dance and dance education. She lives with her husband and two children in Cincinnati, OH

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars This just did not hit the right note, February 12, 2009

By 

Shobha V "English Teacher" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dances of India - Kuchipudi Ranga Pravesam Dances & Songs (DVD)

I should have listened to the other reviewers of this product. Don't buy it if you are a real Kuchipudi dancer, or have ever been one. The singer has a wobbly voice that cannot stay on the right note, the dancer is lacking in energy and expression, and the whole production has a second-rate feel to it that is very disappointing after you have watched many of the more polished Bharatha Natyam CDs. Having said that, I'll admit that this production is a good idea. I just wish it had been done by someone with more talent.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good DVD, February 6, 2008

By 

L. Gonzalez "Mrs.Gurung" (Miami, FL, Denver, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dances of India - Kuchipudi Ranga Pravesam Dances & Songs (DVD)

As an experienced dancer, but not professional, I beleive that the dancing is pretty good. I do have to agree however with K. Palanis review that she is not as flexible but her foot work is decent. As far as the dancer in this dvd doing any impressive moves... I didnt quite see that. Bhama Kalapam was done well, but not the best I've seen. The lyrics with their translations is very good for someone that doesnt speak Telugu. It would help with the facial expressions rather than trying to copy the video. Overall I thought the choice of songs and dance are good.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A questionable mix of American interpretations of dubious standards, January 30, 2007

By 

K. Palani (India) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dances of India - Kuchipudi Ranga Pravesam Dances & Songs (DVD)

After watching this DVD, I noticed that the Padma Chebrolu's sense of laya is far, far from perfect. Moreover, she seems to have forgotten that one of the most important elements in Kuchipudi is the dancer's ability to bend sideways in the waist line, just as the contemporary masters, such as Uma Muraleekrishna has shown in her recent DVD production.

As to Padma Chebrolu's skills of balancing the brass tumbler on her head while dancing, a real danseuse has to do it with far greater amplitude and ease, and speed. As for Jathiswaram, the dancer did not select a complex piece and could not dance fast enough.

Of course, we cannot expect quite an old dancer to have the agility or even the subtle richness of abhinaya (absolutely required in items like Bhama Kalapam!) that one can witness in the DVDs of such contemporary virtuosos as Varsha Ramesh, but - for god's sake! - there must be a certain minimum standards that even some totally unfit, elderly dancers should be aware of.

The only good thing about this DVD is its structure and image quality. It is certainly very good features to include the subtitles of lyrics and the booklet with the meaning of the songs - if you already well-familiar with the Indian culture.

Mixing everything together is one of the typical problems that any dancer faces who attended a few brief courses of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Mohini Attam and other classical dance styles. This is what we see in this DVD.