A P Nivedita, a renowned Kuchipudi dancer from Nagpur, has recently received the prestigious “Top Grade” artist status, the highest honour conferred by Doordarshan in India. This achievement marks a significant milestone for any performing artist.
Originally from Quilandy, Kerala, and born in Ponnur, Andhra Pradesh, she has lived in Nagpur since she was six. Her journey into the world of Kuchipudi began with her mother’s aspirations. She trained under the guidance of Padmashri Guru Jayarama Rao and Guru Vanashree Rao, along with her maternal aunt, Guru Dr. P. Rama Devi.
Nivedita pursued her passion aca- demically, completing Bachelors of Science (BSc), obtaining Master of Arts (MA) and MPhil degrees in dance from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. One of the milestones of recognition arrived when she was empanelled in the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 2005-06, and she has since represented India in several cultural exchange programmes in many countries including China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and also in the Namaste Vietnam Festival 2023.
A P Nivedita expresses that promoting traditional arts and encouraging young artists to explore their potential can build a bridge that unites cultures, communicates stories and ensures that artistic legacy con- tinues for future generations. She is also passionately run- ning a dance academy in the city since last 14 years.
She expresses gratitude to her parents P Vasantha and A P Madhusudanan, her brother A P Pradyumna, her husband Washington Gomez, and her son Ayaan Gomez for their constant support.