HYDERABAD: Born to a legendary Kuchipudi dancing couple, Yamini Reddy is an extension of the family legacy. This 28-year-old is the daughter of Padma Bhushan awardee and internationally acclaimed Kuchipudi dancers, Raja and Radha Reddy.
She was only three years old when she gave her first solo and impromptu dance performance. “When I was a kid, I used to observe my parents dance. Though they dressed me up on many occasions, I was never allowed to perform on stage. But during a show, I ran on to the stage and started performing. The audience were rather surprised and amused,” says Yamini with a hearty laugh.
Though she is a true Hyderabadi at heart, Yamini spent her growing years in Delhi. A commerce graduate from Lady Shriram College in the capital city, she was mischievous but also a very responsible student. “We had a large group of friends and would indulge in mass bunking on numerous occasions. But we mustered up the courage to call the faculty and tell convincingly that we were bunking,” she says.
Yamini’s favourite teacher was someone who threatened to throw her out of college. “Professor Mukim used to teach finance in my first year and was known to be very strict. She used to threaten me with suspension whenever I scored low. But in the second and third year, she became friendly and we bonded very well. I kept in touch with her even after graduation,” she says.
It was only after graduation that Yamini decided to become a professional dancer, and conveyed the same to her anxious parents. “They were a little apprehensive considering it’s not a lucrative option and instead advised me to finish my higher education. So I pursued MBA at the Fore School of Management, Delhi.”
Her passion for the art was evident in the project she took up during the last semester. “I did a unique project on ‘Audience development in performing arts in India’. I had worked on this project for a month and targeted the audience who watched performing arts. I framed a questionnaire and went around personally to get the answers. After comprehensive research, I realised that it was not due to a lack of interest but lack of information that large crowds do not come to such shows.”
The dancing prodigy has since then been actively involved in her family’s dance institute and also performed within the country and abroad.
A married woman now, Yamini has established her own institute in Hyderabad where she takes classes for about 50 students in the evenings. “In future, I want to do good work in my field — teach and promote quality Kuchipudi dance, which is lacking right now,” she informs.
rahul.d@expressbuzz.com