Ricardo’s Rangapravesham

Hello everyone. My name is Ricardo Román. I'm a Kuchipudi dancer from

Mexico, and it's my goal to present my first debut performance in Kuchipudi (Rangapravesam) this year in India.

My bond with dance is inexplicable and has deepened throughout the past few years. I have been fascinated with understanding the mysteries of the Kuchipudi art form. I often ask myself, “why do I pursue it?” and “what motivates me to do so?” And honestly, I don’t have an answer to this question. It is simply out of the joy to move and the passion for dance that I keep learning.

Though, dance was not always a part of my life. In contrast to most dancers, I started training in Indian art forms in my 20s. Things were mundane before I found dance. There was no melody, rhythm, movement or Kuchipudi in my life. I had no clue what dance was! Mexico is not a place where Kuchipudi is prominent or even Indian culture. I took all efforts to take part in whatever art forms were offered locally. For me, the Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre classes were my entry point to learning about the fascinating art forms of India. I did not have a place to even practice my dance. Any flat surface at that time would suffice for me to dance and try to understand these complex traditions. I dreamed that my steps would become wings and fly me to India one day. But I didn’t know how to make this dream a reality.

In 2018, everything changed for me when I saw a Kuchipudi performance for the first time in Mexico. The blood rushed through my body as I was transported to a different realm. At that moment, I knew I wanted to learn Kuchipudi and become a dancer, but how? Later that year, I had the chance to watch another performance by one of my teachers, Yamini Saripalli, at the Embassy of India. Hearing Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam’s majestic voice and renowned vocalist Kanaka Durga’s precise, fast melodies mesmerized me. The images from the Gajendra Moksham story in Manduka Sabdam are still etched in my mind. I closed my eyes for a moment in that performance and asked God to give me the opportunity to learn even one movement of that beautiful art form I was witnessing.

At that time, I had no idea how to connect with Kuchipudi. But then, the opportunity of a lifetime was presented to me. My two teachers, Kasi Aysola and Yamini Saripalli, gave me a chance to learn Kuchipudi dance. My prayers were answered, and I began to learn from them. They believed I could become a dancer and had the grit to attempt learning this style. And today, I’m taking one more step toward my dream of becoming a Kuchipudi dancer. Four years of rigorous training and consistent classes have led me to present my Rangapravesam.

This December, I will be presenting my first debut performance in Chennai, India, under my teachers' guidance. I would greatly appreciate your support towards this dream of mine. Your donations will be put towards the logistical costs of the performance, which include: live music, space rental, international travel and lodging, rehearsal space and costumes. I am thrilled to travel to India and immerse myself in the culture I hold so dear to my heart.

I know that completing this milestone is only the beginning of my journey with Kuchipudi. Dance has already taken me so far in such a short time. It has led me down a path where I’ve forged deep bonds with loved ones and helped me grow as a human being. I’m ever grateful for that, but I wish to travel further down this path. I hope you will help me continue this journey and fly higher, and I am deeply grateful for your support.