Kuchipudi dance guru Uma Rama Rao passed away

Kuchipudi dance guru Kolluri Uma Rama Rao (78) passed away on Saturday morning. Dr. Kolluri Uma Rama Rao was the winner of dance academy. She was undergoing treatment for the last two months.

She is survived by two sons who were settled in USA. The corpse was placed at her residence in Road No.5 of Banjara Hills for her disciples and the public to pay their homage and the final rites will be held on Sunday afternoon.

Prominent dance masters Dr. Pasumarti Ramalinga Sastry, Dr. Alekhya, Kalakrishna, Dr.Jonnalagadda Anuradha, Dr. Vanaja Uday, Dr.Bhagavatula Seturam, Dr. Ratnasri, Dr.Padmaja Rddy, Dr. Ramadesi, cine director K.Viswanath paid their last respects to her.

Born in Visakhapatnam on July 4, 1938, she entered into dance field at the age of 6 and performed thousands of dance performances. In 1985, she set up Lasya Priya Institute devoted to Kuchipudi dance.

She was the first Head of the Department of Dance in Telugu University. She received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003 from the then President A P J Abdul Kalam.