Raja and Radha Reddy

Raja and Radha Reddy
Known for Indian Classical Dance
Movement Kuchipudi
Awards

Padma Shri

Padma Bhushan
Website Drs. Raja and Radha Reddy’s Official Website

Raja (born October 6, 1943) and Radha Reddy (b. February 15, 1955) are a legendary Kuchipudi dancing couple, gurus and choreographers. Their names are synonymous with Kuchipudi dance and are regarded solely responsible for bringing it on the cultural map of the world..[1][2] For their services to the field of arts, the Government of India have conferred on them the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.[3][4]

Education and family

Raja Reddy holds a Diploma in Choreography and has a bachelor's degree from the Osmania University. Radha Reddy too has a Diploma in Choreography. In 2010 the duo were conferred honorary doctorates by the University of Hyderabad for their contributions to Kuchipudi.[2] Raja Reddy is married to Radha and her sister Kaushalya Reddy who is also a Kuchipudi dancer.[5][6] Raja and Radha have two children Yamini and Bhavana Reddy, also Kuchipudi dancers.[6]

Performing career

Raja Reddy's interest in Kuchipudi began in childhood as he watched performances of Kuchipudi Bhagavatam by touring folk troupes in his home district of Adilabad and later reached a turning point after he saw a performance of Vyjayanthimala’s Nagin.[7] Radha followed him into Kuchipudi after their wedding. The duo learnt Kuchipudi under their guru Vedantam Prahalada Sarma of Eluru. In 1966, on a Government of Andhra Pradesh scholarship, they went to Delhi where they studied choreography and other stage arts under Guru Maya Rao at Natya Ballet Centre.[8] Their talent was soon noted and they were invited to dance with doyen of the time including Indrani Rehman. Their first big break came in 1970 when their performance at the Theatre Tamil Nadu was widely well reviewed and received.[9] Their performances were also noted by the then Minister for Tourism, Dr. Karan Singh and by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who allotted them a house in Delhi after witnessing their performance during the celebrations of Nehru's birth anniversary.[7][8] They have since gone on to perform at venues all over the globe. Raja trained students with hearing and speech impairment and at the Blind Relief Association. He has also set to dance a piece based on three poems of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.[10] In their careers spanning over five decades and still counting, Drs.Raja and Radha Reddy are the first Indian dancers to perform in the International Dance Festival of Avignon in France and Salzburg (Austria) and the Festivals of India in the USA, UK and Bangladesh. In Japan, The Reddys were two of the twenty two star dancers from across the world invited to perform at The All-star Ballet Gala Festival. Raja Radha Reddy inaugurated the “Play House Theatre” in Durban (South Africa), they performed on Mississippi river for the Late President Ford and a galaxy of notable personalities across the globe. They have been conferred India's highest civilian awards Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Nritya Choodamani Awards.

Natya Tarangini

Raja and Radha started the Natya Tarangini Institute of Kuchipudi dance, which is located in the Saket locality of New Delhi.[8] The institute trains students in classical dance, music, yoga and Sanskrit. The institute also has a mini auditorium, an art gallery and hostel facility on its premises.[9] The Institute hosts the annual dance and music festival, Parampara Series[11] as well as the Shreyasi International Dance Festival which showcases artistes drawn from across the world. The Moscow Classical Ballet, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, flamenco dancer Jose Porcel and whirling dervishes are among the groups that have performed at the festival.[12]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Stellar Kuchipudi". The Hindu. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Doctor dancers". The Hindu. June 25, 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Raja Reddy". Centre for Cultural Resources and Training. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Radha Reddy". Centre for Cultural Resources and Training. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Kaushalya Reddy". Centre for Cultural Resources and Training. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. 1 2 "About Raja Reddy, his dance and two wives". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Kuchipudi ambassadors". The Hindu. December 19, 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 "Constant change". The Hindu. August 31, 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Dedicated to Kuchipudi". The Hindu. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "No obstacles to dance". The Hindu. November 13, 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "Fun and fervour". The Hindu. August 12, 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  12. ↑ "Lovers of dance in for a treat". The Hindu. February 15, 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
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