Hima was initiated into Kuchipudi under the great maestro Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam where she learnt the intricacies of the style and had extensive training for over 10 years in Chennai, India. She continued her advanced training under Mrs.Satyapriya Ramana (a senior disciple of Dr.Vempati). In India, she has performed at various prestigious organizations and won many awards, starting with the national award in the Inter-University National Youth festival in 1988. She made her international debut at the Festival of India in Andaman and Nicobar islands in 1996 and was very well reviewed by the leading critics and magazines. In 1998 she toured the USA with her guru Dr. Vempati and has participated in Kucipudi Dance ballets like “Ardha Naareewara”, “Saakuntalam” and “Srinivasa Kalyanam”. Her other notable performances include Siddhendra Jayanthi dance festival in the venerable village of Kuchipudi (the birthplace of the dance form) in 2000. Hima has done lead roles in "Menaka Vishwamitra" (Choreographed by Dr.Vempati), "Swapna Vijayam" (Kuchipudi adaptation of Nutcracker, Choreographed by Sasikala Penumarthi), "Mahishasura Mardhini" (Choreographed by Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma") and "Girija Kalyanama". |