In Kuchipudi village, once vibrant with dance-drama performances in every household, a fading tradition faces modern challenges. Despite the efforts of dedicated gurus like Mruthyanjaya Sarma and Vedantam Balakrishna, the younger generation’s waning interest and lack of government support threaten the art form’s survival. With the pandemic claiming six gurus and cultural programs scarce, the responsibility falls on a dwindling number of enthusiasts to keep Kuchipudi alive. Dreams of heritage status for the village and the legacy of past masters like Guru Chinta Venkata Ramayya and Natyakalanidhi Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry offer hope for its preservation.