"Dance is all about enjoying the process"

Yamini Reddy, born to Padma Bhushan awardee Kuchipudi dancers, Dr Raja and Dr Radha Reddy, speaks to Governance Now about her journey

geetanjali

Geetanjali Minhas | January 23, 2019 | Mumbai


#BRIC   #SCO summit   #personal note   #Yamini Reddy   #Kuchipudi dancer   #Padma Bhushan   #classical dance  
Photo Courtesy: Inni Singh, Ravinder Reddy
Photo Courtesy: Inni Singh, Ravinder Reddy

Born to Padma Bhushan awardee Kuchipudi dancers, Dr Raja and Dr Radha Reddy, Yamini gave her first dance performance at the age of three. She has received Sangeet Natak Akademi award, National Bismillah Khan Yuva Purasakar and Devadasi National Award among others. She was the first dancer ever to perform at the Wigmore Hall London in 2011. She has performed for various heads of countries at the BRIC and SCO summit in Russia (2009) and performed before the president of Hungary during his visit to India. She teaches Kuchipudi at a classical dance institute in Hyderabad established by her parents.  

 
What is dance to you?
It is intricately woven into my life. Most people view dance as entertainment. But having been with it since birth and watching my parents (also through my own experience), I have come to realise that dance is a very wholesome way of living. As professional dancers our body and mind are always in sync. The spiritual aspect of dancing helps us nurture our soul and creativity enables to express our individuality.  
 
How have your parents influenced you?
They have taught me so much more than dance. Their ethics and principles constantly reflect in me. They have taught me values such as hard work, commitment, honesty, sincerity, love and compassion. 
 
How is Kuchipudi different from other dance forms?
Kuchipudi originates from dance dramas known as Yakshaganas or Veedhinatakams. It is an interesting method of dance-drama. The sporadic items that are now performed as solo items find their roots in ancient items, which have evolved to suit the present-day needs. This makes Kuchipudi effervescent. 
 
How do you experiment with art?
I prefer to do it without disturbing the grammar of the art form. I find new and interesting ways of presenting the traditional Kuchipudi, for example, by using shadows and silhouettes during introductions, costumes, light, etc.
 
Your memorable performance:
When I performed ‘Shiva Dance’ with my father. I also fondly remember the first time all five of us – dad, mom, Kaushalya mom, Bhavana and I – danced together as family.
 
Challenges in combining different classical dance forms? 
Every dance has its own grammar, which has been exhaustively researched over centuries. To meddle with it is not right. While doing any sort of fusion work, it is wise to thoroughly research every aspect.  

How was the transition to move out of your parents’ shadow into your own?
Having legendary parents is not easy, especially when you are trying to make a mark in the same field. Your work is judged with a lot of expectations, which you are expected to meet at a young age. But if you are true to the art and work sincerely your work will shine. The transition can be exhausting. I do not measure myself against my parents. 
 
What does governance mean to you?
It means taking care of people and things around in a moral, ethical and disciplined way. It is similar to parenting. It is not what the child wants but what the child needs and giving it to him/her in a restrained and disciplined manner to ensure their good upbringing. Tough governance – knowing what is good for the people and ensuring it is done – may not always please everyone but will yield great results.  
 
What can the government do to promote classical dance forms?
Start by having a strong cultural policy. 
 
At present you are busy with?
Concerts. Also dwelling on an idea for a new production.
 
Your advice to aspiring dancers:
Dance is a physically grueling field with a long period of struggle. Even the most privileged dancers have to go through it. My advice is to stick with it through the tough times and have faith. Dance is all about enjoying the process.  
 
(The interview appears in January 31, 2019 edition)
 
 
 
 

 

Comments

 

Other News

When Golwalkar decided to become a monk…

Golwalkar: The Myth Behind The Man, The Man Behind The Machine By Dhirendra K. Jha Simon and Schuster India, 400 pages, Rs 899

AI can transform healthcare sector…

Over the last decade, India has initiated a range of progress-driven policies to advance the health sector towards greater overall digitisation. Frontline health workers are now trained to adopt digital health solutions, evolving from traditional paper-based record keeping systems to a centralised digital

An ideal primer on the Equality debate

Who Is Equal?: The Equality Code of the Constitution Saurabh Kirpal Penguin/Vintage, 304 pages, Rs 699 The idea of equality holds a place

Launched: TATA Aircraft Complex to manufacture C-295 aircraft

Prime minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat on Monday. Both the PMs also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occa

Why everybody is talking about Sally Rooney’s ‘Intermezzo’

Intermezzo By Sally Rooney Faber and Faber, 448 pages, Rs 699 Sally Rooney published her first novel, ‘Conversations with Friends’ (2017), when she was in her mid-twenties. It won both critical and popular acclaim. Within a year, she was ba

Her turn to lead: Confronting gender inequality in politics

India is the world’s largest democracy, but the glaring gender disparity in its political representation continues to spark debates. Women, who outnumber the men (according to NFHS-5) in the country, remain significantly underrepresented in its political arena. This glaring disparity calls into quest

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now


Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter