The art of Kuchipudi dance has captured the attention of our Indian community in America with an intensity that is unparalleled in recent times. Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam's tours in this country during the last two decades are indeed the reason for this passionate interest in this art. Many of Guru Vempati's disciples residing in this country have taken up this interest as a responsibility to teach and promote this art.

Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Inc. is formed to advance the process of bringing the Kuchipudi art into the homes and communities of Atlanta and its neighboring cities. Its agenda includes teaching Kuchipudi dance, based on the guiding principles formulated by Guru Vempati, producing dance-dramas, and promoting the knowledge of this classical art of India in the American community at large. The Academy works closely with VCS Kuchipudi Art Foundation in Chennai and receives guidance from Guru Vempati for all major productions.

Since the inception of the Academy, eight students of Sasikala, - Karishma Kalli, Vasundara Tummala, Preeti Pathela, Indira Sarma, Neelima Tummala, Lakshmi Tummala, Parina Shah, and Amulya Nagarur- have completed their preparatory dance program and performed Rangapravesam. Sasikala and her students produced and presented to the community several performances of the dance dramas Chandalika, Rukmini Kalyanam, Krishna Parijatham and Srinivasa Kalyanam.

The academy functions as 501-C3 non-profit organization registered in the state of Georgia and is directed by a Board consisting of the following members: B.K.Mohan, Ravi Penumarthi, Sasikala Penumarthi (Executive Director), P.Venugopala Rao, and Seshu Sarma. The Academy is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with several performances including a new Production called Swapna Vijayam, which is an adaptation of the famous ballet Nutcracker into the Kuchipudi Style of Dance.