Kuchipudi...

talgia that exists among Indians living abroad and their distance from the traditional arts. Of late, most families here (in the US) have started encouraging their kids to study music and dance as a part of their regular academic activities.”

Talking about why he chose Kuchipudi, the filmmaker says, “After making documentaries on social issues, I wanted to explore arts and cultural topics as my next subjects. Being born and brought up in Andhra Pradesh, and influenced by K. Vishwanth’s films, my first reaction was to know more about the Kuchipudi art form. It helps me stay in touch with my cultural roots."

The timing is extremely crucial for the film as the trailer has already caught the eyes of the curators of the Fulbright Film Festival, 2014. “We are excited to screen it in one of our shorts programs and hope you will be able to join us for the event on May 3,” reads an email from Thomas Burns, the fest director.

Satyanarayana has so far been lucky with funding for his films. His earlier film, I am Satyabhama, on the iconic Ve d a n t a m Satyanarayana Sarma, was funded by dancer Swathi Gundapuneedi from the US. The self-taught filmmaker was chosen for the Cross-Cultural Internship Programme in 2011. “I am also going to start another project this summer based on the life of great poet, freedom fighter and non-violent revolutionary Kaloji Narayana Rao,” he says.

There is a high regard for arts and culture among the NRIs