Vikram Kumar B R
Full Name: Vikram Kumar B R
Also Known As: Bathina Vikram Goud
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Kuchipudi Artiste, Choreographer, Theatre Director, Editor, Cultural Organizer
Education: Master of Arts in Kuchipudi, Andhra University; Diplomas in Acting and Direction
Known For: Kuchipudi, Classical Dance Festivals, Cultural Documentation and Arts Promotion
Organization: Nataraj Music and Dance Academy (NMDA)
Position: Founder-President, Nataraj Music and Dance Academy
Founded: Nataraj Music and Dance Academy, 2000
Major Initiatives: Vysakhi Nrithyotsav, Bharat Nrithyotsav, Nataraj Nrithyotsav, Jathis Music & Dance Festival, Amaravathi Nrithyotsav
Other Initiatives: FCDFO, International Traditional Dance Congress (ITDC), The Dance India
Publication: The Dance India
Editorial Role: Editor-in-Chief, The Dance India
Art Form: Kuchipudi and Indian Traditional Performing Arts
Notable Productions: Chenchu Lakshmi Narasimha Kalyanam, Swachh Ganga – Swachh Bharat, Maha Visakha Vaibhavam, Sri Krishna Leelalu
Awards: Republic Day Excellence Award, Best Promoter of Indian Culture Award, International Dance Congress Excellency Award, Rastreeya Kala Poshak Samman, Naatya Kala Poshaka Award, Jayadev Excellency Award, Ugadi Puraskar State Award
Vikram Kumar B R, also known as Bathina Vikram Goud, is an Indian Kuchipudi artiste, choreographer, theatre director, cultural organizer, editor and arts administrator. He is the founder-president of the Nataraj Music and Dance Academy (NMDA) and has been associated with the promotion, documentation and preservation of Indian classical and traditional performing arts.
Early life and education
Kumar developed an interest in performing arts during childhood and received encouragement from his father.
He studied Kuchipudi academically and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Kuchipudi with distinction from Andhra University . During his association with the university, he was involved in activities connected with the establishment and development of its Department of Dance.
As part of his postgraduate studies, Kumar conducted research on Siva Thandavam and Saptha Thandavam in the Kuchipudi tradition. His academic work included a comparative study involving the literary works of Telugu poet Puttaparthi Narayanacharyulu .
Kumar also completed diplomas in Acting and Direction from Andhra University. He was associated with the university's Department of Theatre Arts for approximately ten years and participated in mythological, social and philosophical theatrical productions.
Dance and choreography
Kumar has worked as a performer and choreographer in Kuchipudi and has created dance productions combining classical dance, theatrical presentation and traditional narratives.
Among his productions is Chenchu Lakshmi Narasimha Kalyanam, a thematic ballet based on traditions associated with Lord Narasimha of Simhachalam . The production combines elements of Kuchipudi with folk performance traditions and has been staged at more than 150 venues in India.
Another production, Swachh Ganga – Swachh Bharat, was inspired by Bhagiratha Vilasam and used classical dance to address environmental themes, including water conservation and cleanliness.
Other choreographed productions associated with Kumar include:
- Maha Visakha Vaibhavam
- Sri Krishna Leelalu
- Society for Future
- Youth Never Sleeps
Nataraj Music and Dance Academy
In 2000, Kumar founded the Nataraj Music and Dance Academy (NMDA), an organization engaged in teaching and promoting Indian classical performing arts.
The academy provides training in Kuchipudi and conducts cultural programmes, competitions, festivals and other initiatives related to dance, music and visual arts.
NMDA is ISO-certified and is a member of the International Dance Council (CID).
Kumar serves as the academy's founder-president. Through NMDA, he has been involved in organizing festivals intended to provide performance opportunities to established as well as emerging classical dancers.
Dance festivals and cultural initiatives
Kumar has established and organized several dance festivals and cultural programmes through NMDA and associated organizations.
Vysakhi Nrithyotsav
The Vysakhi Nrithyotsav was established in 2008 as an All-India classical dance festival. It brings together performers representing various Indian classical dance traditions.
Bharat Nrithyotsav
The Bharat Nrithyotsav was launched in 2010 as a platform for presenting Indian classical dance and encouraging interaction between Indian and international performers.
Nataraj Nrithyotsav
Established in 2012, the Nataraj Nrithyotsav was created as a festival focusing particularly on male classical dancers.
Naatya Tharang Sangeeth Nrithyotsav
The Naatya Tharang Sangeeth Nrithyotsav was introduced in 2012 as a recurring music and dance performance series.
Sathyabhama Yuva Nrithyotsav
The Sathyabhama Yuva Nrithyotsav, established in 2013, focuses on providing opportunities to younger dancers and emerging performers.
Jathis Music & Dance Festival
The Jathis Music & Dance Festival was developed as a multi-city cultural programme intended to increase access to classical performing arts in different regions.
Amaravathi Nrithyotsav
The Amaravathi Nrithyotsav was launched in 2015 and has included classical, tribal and folk performing traditions.
Other festivals
Other festivals and performance initiatives associated with Kumar include:
- Jathis International Dance Festival
- Amrapali Online Nrithyotsav
- Siddartha Online Nrithyotsav
- Chennai Margazhi Nrithyotsav
- Mysore Dasara Nrithyotsav
These programmes have featured senior performers, young artistes and recipients of national honours in Indian performing arts.
Federation of Classical Dance Festival Organisers
Kumar has been associated with efforts to establish and develop the Federation of Classical Dance Festival Organisers (FCDFO).
The federation was conceived as a common platform for organizers of Indian classical dance festivals. Its stated objectives include improving cooperation among festival organizers, sharing resources and knowledge, developing performance opportunities for artistes and supporting the wider classical dance festival community.
FCDFO has also proposed programmes for younger artistes, including scholarships and fellowships intended to support continued education and professional development in classical dance.
International Traditional Dance Congress
Kumar is also associated with the International Traditional Dance Congress (ITDC), an initiative focused on traditional and classical dance practices.
The congress was conceived as a platform where performers, teachers, scholars, students and cultural representatives could participate in activities including:
- Dance performances
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Academic paper presentations
- Competitions
- Collaborative dance productions
A large-scale collaborative presentation known as Maha Brunda Nrityam has also been associated with ITDC activities.
The congress aims to combine performance with research, documentation, pedagogy and discussions about the preservation and transmission of traditional dance practices.
The Dance India
Kumar founded and serves as editor-in-chief of The Dance India, an English-language cultural publication devoted to Indian dance and performing arts.
The publication covers subjects including:
- Indian classical dance
- Folk and traditional arts
- Profiles of performers and gurus
- Performance reviews
- Cultural history
- Academic and scholarly articles
The publication is registered with RNI and has an ISSN. It has also been reported to reach more than 650 libraries in India.
Kumar has described documentation as an important component of cultural preservation, particularly for recording the work of performers, teachers and traditional art communities.
Books
Kumar has been associated with the publication of biographical works about Kuchipudi dancer and choreographer Vempati Chinna Satyam.
These include:
- The Reformer – English
- Kuchipudi Vythalikudu – Telugu
According to biographical accounts, more than 10,000 complimentary copies of these publications were distributed.
Advocacy for cultural documentation and intellectual property
Kumar has advocated greater awareness of copyright and intellectual property issues in the performing arts.
His work in this area has focused on the documentation of choreography, musical compositions, photographs, articles, archival recordings and other cultural material, while promoting appropriate attribution to creators and custodians.
He has also supported the creation of cultural archives and documentation systems intended to preserve performing-art traditions for researchers, students and future generations.
Awards and recognition
Kumar and organizations associated with him have received a number of awards and recognitions for contributions to Indian culture and performing arts. These include:
- Republic Day Excellence Award – Government of Andhra Pradesh
- Best Promoter of Indian Culture Award – Public Relations Society of India (PRSI)
- Best NGO Making Contribution to CSR – presented at the 39th PRSI National Convention
- International Dance Congress Excellency Award
- Rastreeya Kala Poshak Samman
- Naatya Kala Poshaka Award
- Jayadev Excellency Award
- Ugadi Puraskar State Award – Government of Andhra Pradesh
Contribution to performing arts
Kumar's activities have included performance, choreography, dance education, theatre, cultural publishing, festival organization and institutional development. Through NMDA, FCDFO, ITDC, The Dance India and various dance festivals, he has worked on programmes related to the promotion and documentation of Indian classical and traditional arts.
His initiatives have particularly focused on providing platforms for younger artistes, organizing cultural festivals, documenting performing-art traditions and encouraging interaction between established artists and emerging performers.