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 India's
most brilliant dancing couple Raja and Radha
Reddy have given a new dimension to the age old
art of Kuchipudi dance without sacrificing
the traditional poetry or dramatic sensibility. With
rare excellence and perfection of technique they have
earned the credit for Kuchipudi's high ranking today
among the major dance forms in India.
They hail from the state of Andhra Pradesh,
the birthplace of Kuchipudi style of Indian Classical
Dance. Through their togetherness and perfect
unison Raja and Radha Reddy portray the masculine
vigour and lyrical charm of the classical pairs of
Hindu mythology such as Shiva-Parvati, Rama-Sita and
Krishna-Radha thus identifying themselves with the
twin concept of Purusha and Prakriti, the male-female
principle in Indian philosophy. In precise postures
and refined patterns the duo re-enlivens the magnificent
sculptures chiselled in the ancient temples of India.
They are the first couple to choreograph sequences
of different dance forms for Government of India during
the Republic day celebrations in the year 1999.
They formulated a syllabus for Kuchipudi Repertoire
systematizing the basic movements and mudras and choreographed
each item to make Kuchipudi classical dance form acceptable
to modern cosmopolitan audiences.
They have popularised the Kuchipudi style of dance
by performing all over the world. Most of their performances
were under the invitation by various Governments and
cultural institutions.
The most memorable performances ever by the Reddy's
was at New Orleans, in front of the President
of United States of America, Mr.Gerald Ford. They
even performed before the Cuban President Fidel
Castro.
They have conducted charity shows for Red Cross
Society, Blind Relief Association, the home for the
aged people in Bombay and CRY. They had the honour
of being invited as the first Indian dancers to participate
in the International Dance Festival of Avignon
in France and Salzburg in Austria.
The couple has performed in USA and UK . They were
the star attraction of the All Star Ballet Gala
festival in Japan.
They have choreographed and presented dance ballets
like:
Bhagavadajjukiyam: A satirical dance drama
written around the advent of Christian era. The story
revolves around Vasant Sena the courtesan and Parivrajaka
the Buddhist monk.
Manmadavijayam: From Markendeya Purana, the
story is about manmada the cupid and Lord Shiva.
Uma Parinayam: This episode is from Kalidasa's
sanskrit classic 'Kumara Sambhavam'. It depicts the
penance of Godess Parvati to wed Lord Shiva.
Awards:
This year, on the 26th of January, the Government
of India awarded them the Padma Bhushan award.
Padmashree Award individually in 1984.
International Meridian Award Sangeet Natak
Academy Award 1991.
Nritya Choodamani in 1993.
If you want to know more about them, kindly email:
info@rajaradhareddy.com
Address: D-II/57, Kaka Nagar, New
Delhi - 110001, India; Phone: 463 6630, 463
6640; Fax: 463 6640
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9:23:57 PM 
Satish
Gujral
