॥Madhavapeddi Murthy
Madhavapeddi Murthy with Smt. Hema Malini
Kalaimamani · ICCR · Lifetime Achievement

MadhavapeddiMurthy

A life devoted to the sacred geometry of Kuchipudi —across 25 countries, on five continents.

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850+ shows with Hema Malini✦Padma Bhushan Lifetime Award✦Taj Mahotsav · Khajuraho · Hampi✦Kumbh Mela · Tirupati Brahmotsavam✦ICCR Empanelled · 25+ countries✦30 years of SIVA Foundation✦
850+ shows with Hema Malini✦Padma Bhushan Lifetime Award✦Taj Mahotsav · Khajuraho · Hampi✦Kumbh Mela · Tirupati Brahmotsavam✦ICCR Empanelled · 25+ countries✦30 years of SIVA Foundation✦
01

TheStory

Madhavapeddi Murthy
M. V. N. Murthy — Chennai

M. V. N. Murthy is an eminent Kuchipudi exponent and a distinguished torchbearer of the classical Indian dance tradition — son of the celebrated playback singer late Madhavapeddi Satyam, and one of the most accomplished disciples of Padma Bhushan Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

He has played key roles in landmark Kuchipudi dance-dramas choreographed by his guru, contributing to the preservation and propagation of the traditional repertoire. His commanding stage presence and deeply expressive abhinaya have brought mythological and historical characters to life on stages across the country and the world.

Founder of SIVA Foundation, Chennai — now in its 30th year — empanelled artist of the ICCR, and member of the Eyal Isai Nataka Manram of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Murthy has carried Kuchipudi to more than 25 countries as a cultural ambassador of India.

  • 850+
    stage shows
  • 25+
    countries toured
  • 30
    years · Siva Foundation
A 31-year partnership

With Hema Malini.The male lead, 850+ times.

For more than three decades, M. V. N. Murthy has performed the male lead in the dance ballets of Smt. Hema Malini — the actress and parliamentarian — across over eight hundred and fifty stages worldwide. A partnership that has carried Kuchipudi to vast, diverse audiences and shaped the modern reach of the form.

  • 31
    years of partnership
    since the mid-1990s
  • 850+
    ballets performed
    across India & abroad
  • 5
    continents reached
    in 25+ countries
02

Watch

Glimpses of the form in motion — from the Silver Jubilee of SIVA Foundation to the Dussera Natya Utsav. The full archive lives on the channel.

ChannelOpen on YouTube
Featured · 2020On YouTube

Silver Jubilee · Glimpses

Twenty-five years of SIVA Foundation, gathered in a single film.

Festival · 2020YouTube

Dussera Natya Utsav · Day 1

Opening night of the 2020 festival, hosted by SIVA Foundation.

Promo · 2020YouTube

25 Years · A short film

The Silver Jubilee promo — a teaser for twenty-five years of work.

03

TheLineage

Father · Voice

Madhavapeddi Satyam

Legendary Telugu playback singer whose voice defined a golden era of Indian cinema. The home was a school of swara and sahitya long before the stage was a destination.

before the stage
Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam
Guru · Form

Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam

Founder of the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai, and one of the towering masters of the modern era. Murthy emerged as one of his most accomplished disciples — playing key roles in landmark dance-dramas choreographed by his guru.

The Parampara
M. V. N. Murthy
Disciple · Path

M. V. N. Murthy

Carries the parampara forward — performing the male lead in Smt. Hema Malini's ballets for over 31 years, founding SIVA Foundation, Chennai, and serving as cultural ambassador of India through the ICCR.

carries it forward
04

OnStage

Grand Festivals

Taj · Khajuraho · Ellora · Hampi

Performances at India's most storied open-air festivals — Taj Mahotsav (Agra), Khajuraho, Ellora, Hampi Utsav, Puri Beach, Malabar Mahotsav and the Island Festival.

→
Lineage

Kuchipudi Mahotsav

The form's own annual congregation — alongside Haridas Sangeet Samaroh, Ganesh Mahotsav and the Purush Festival.

→
Cinema

Swaraabhishekam

Featured in K. Viswanath's classical music film, in which Smt. Hema Malini also appeared.

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Devotional

Tirupati · Thiruchanur · Shravanabelagola

Brahmotsavams at the great temples and the Mahamasthakabhishekam — dance offered as a form of prayer.

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Sacred Occasions

Sathya Sai · Paramacharya · Yogi Ram Surat Kumar

Sathya Sai Baba's 70th in Puttaparthi, Paramacharya centenary in Kanchipuram, Yogi Ram Surat Kumar's 78th in Thiruvannamalai.

→
Kumbh Mela

Haridwar · Allahabad · Prayagraj

Offerings at three of the largest spiritual gatherings on earth — Kuchipudi at the most sacred of public spaces.

→
05

TheWorld, in Footwork

As a cultural ambassador of India, Murthy has carried Kuchipudi to over twenty-five countries — performances, lecture-demonstrations and workshops that build quiet bridges between traditions.

25+countries
Auto-rotating · pick a country below
06

Cities

From temple towns of the south to concert halls across five continents — hover a country to spin the globe back above.

… and others across Europe, the Gulf and South-East Asia

07

TheHonors

World Kuchipudi Day
Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam

Lifetime Achievement Award

Conferred in recognition of a lifetime in service of Kuchipudi — the highest honour from the world of the form itself.

Most recent
Tamil Nadu Govt.

Kalaimamani

The state's highest civilian honour for arts and letters, awarded for sustained contribution to Indian classical dance.

Govt. of India · ICCR

Empanelled Artist

Selected to represent India abroad through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations — the country's cultural diplomacy arm.

Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Member

Eyal Isai Nataka Manram

Appointed to the official cultural body of the state — helping shape policy, programming and patronage for the performing arts.

08

TheGallery

Solo Kuchipudi performance
On stage
Tarangam — solo
Portrait in mudra
In mudra
Hasta · abhinaya
Navaratri production
Navaratri
Group production
At Konark Sun Temple
Konark
At the Sun Temple
Dance-drama with the trinity
Dance-drama
Mythological lead
With the troupe at a temple
Troupe
Across India
Established 1 May 1995 · Chennai

SIVA
Foundation

A cultural organisation established in Chennai on 1 May 1995 by Kalaimamani Madhavapeddi Murthy. Founded as a School of Kuchipudi Dance, it has since expanded to organise cultural events and recognise individuals from across the arts — broadening the cultural spectrum and supporting the upliftment of art and culture in society.

For more than three decades, Murthy has trained over a thousand students worldwide, led group performances, presented numerous dance ballets, and continues to train and inspire emerging artists in Kuchipudi.

  • School of Kuchipudi

    Gurukula-style training in the tradition of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.

  • Ballets & productions

    Full-length dance-dramas and group performances, staged in India and abroad.

  • Cultural events

    Festivals, lecture-demonstrations and convenings that broaden the cultural spectrum.

  • Recognising the arts

    Honouring individuals from across the arts — a quiet patronage that upholds culture.

Begin trainingBook a performance
SIVA Foundation Silver Jubilee — M. V. N. Murthy with Hema Malini
Chennai · Tamil Nadu
Silver Jubilee celebration
1995
established
30+
years
1000+
students trained
09

Stay inConnect

Watch new productions, follow rehearsal journals from Chennai, or reach out directly for performances, workshops and admissions to Siva Foundation.

YouTube · Channel

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Facebook · Personal

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Phone · Direct

+91 98402 11741

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