(June 4, 2024) As a toddler, Yamini Reddy would accompany her parents — both legendary Kuchipudi exponents — to all their concerts. She would even insist on performing with them. To amuse her, they would dress her up in a costume and make her wait backstage. During one such concert, Yamini got really tired and upset of waiting. Suddenly, she stormed onto the stage in the middle of her father’s performance and insisted he announce her name. The audience, pleasantly surprised, asked to see her perform. This was how the renowned Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Reddy gave her first performance at the age of three. Since then, there has been no looking back.
“I was always crazy about dance. I used to watch my parents rehearse and perform and I wanted to be a dancer just like them. I was pretty clear from early on that this is what I wanted to do,” smiles Yamini Reddy, one of the leading Kuchipudi Indian classical dancers, in conversation with Global Indian.
Yamini Reddy
Over the years, the three-time National awardee has wowed audiences in India and abroad. Her rhythmic expressions and flawless footwork came in for much appreciation from legends like Pandit Ravi Shanker and Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan among others. In fact, Pandit Ravi Shanker even complimented Yamini saying “she is just made for dance and is a complete performer.”
Ask her the secret behind her rare and extraordinary skills, Yamini says it’s practice, and practice alone. “One should pursue their passions with an open mind and that’s exactly what I did.”
Dance abroad
Over the years, Yamini has performed multiple times across Europe, UAE, USA, Russia and South-East Asia for both the Indian diaspora and international audiences with her performance at the Ekaterinburg, Russia highly appreciated.
“The audience abroad is absolutely wonderful. They are curious and eager to learn about our culture and find it fascinating. They are very appreciative,” says the renowned Kuchipudi dancer, who was awarded with District Rotaract Club Award (2000) and FICCI Young Achievers Award (2006), New Delhi.
During one such performance in Brazil, Yamini received a standing ovation by the audience who were mesmerised with her stunning performance. Moreover, she was the first dancer ever to have performed at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London in 2011.
Yamini Reddy
Preparing for tours is a lot of work, says Yamini. “From curating the performance, choreography, rehearsal, tour planning takes a lot of time and effort. We usually have a team putting it all together,” says the recipient of Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by Sangeet Natak Academy in 2007. She was also awarded the Golden Key to the city by the Mayor of Dublin (Ireland) & Ft Lauderdale (Florida, USA)
Talent not enough
Dancing does come naturally to Yamini. “I think dance is a gift, either you have the talent or you don’t but having talent alone is not enough. It takes a lot of consistent hard work in order to be successful,” says the naturally gifted dancer, who believes that life teaches one to push through and find meaning in all that one does.
While performing, she keeps in mind the audience for whom she is performing and the presentation which is suitable for them. “I also make sure to communicate with the audiences and explain the pieces I am presenting to them through various techniques, so that they enjoy it much more,” says Yamini, who is completely immersed in the performance because that is what ultimately connects her with viewers.
It’s in the genes
Born in New Delhi in September 1982 to legendary Kuchipudi dancers Padmabhushans Dr (s) Raja Radha Reddy and Kaushalya Reddy, she did her schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road and later graduated from Lady Sriram College, New Delhi. She also did her Masters in International Business from the Fore School of Management, Delhi.
As a child, she trained in Carnatic vocal and fine arts as well. In school, Yamini was an avid swimmer, who enjoyed reading and a bit of writing, only for herself. “For as long as I remember, I was very passionate about dance,” says Yamini, who also presented her art before noted personalities like the President of Hungary, First Lady of Slovenia and the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
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Choreography
Yamini’s choreographic pursuits have always been well appreciated, both by her critics and audiences. Her production, ‘Harmony’ along with modern dancer Leah Curtis from New York was well received by the audience and was invited to perform at the Nishagandhi festival in Kerala.
“I have been choreographing for a few years now. It’s still a skill I am honing,” informs Yamini, who has conceptualised and co-choreographed along with her father several productions such as ‘Surya’, ‘Universe that is God’, ‘Drishya Kavya’ to name a few.
“Choreography is a beautiful creative process. It requires a lot of research and complete mastery over the subject. A thorough preparation always results in a more meaningful presentation,” says Yamini, who has also authored a research thesis titled, ‘Audience Development’ for the Performing Arts in India.
Natya Tarangini
A major chunk of Yamini’s time is consumed in the running of Natya Tarangini, which was started by her parents in New Delhi, with the aim of preserving and propagating music and dance in the coming generation. As an extension of the Delhi institute, Yamini launched the Hyderabad branch of Natya Tarangini in 2007.
“I started small with 4-5 students but now it has grown immensely. I have trained hundreds of students over the last 17 years. Our motto has always been to impart personal teaching to the students and I do my best to give personal attention and training to each and every student,” says the recipient of the Pride of Telangana award.
She feels a lot of people are interested in learning dance and performing Kuchipudi. “But we have to work towards cultivating a good audience, through innovative presentations, quality performances and good dissipation of information,” says Yamini, who was bestowed with the Devadasi National Award in 2007.
Not easy
She says dance is not an easy profession and requires a lot of hardwork and is usually with slim results. “But if one is passionate about it, they should stick with it and they will find their place. One needs to respect their art form and keep enjoying the process of learning and creating.”
So does Yamini Reddy perform everyday? ”I am a working mom, so my day starts with my sending my son to school. Thereafter, I am at my studio for my daily practice,” says the renowned dancer, who makes it a point to practise regularly, irrespective of whether there are performances lined up or not. She feels it’s important to have a disciplined approach, which also helps her keep fit, and in form for concerts.
“I consider my body as an instrument which I need to keep tuned,” smiles Yamini, who also indulges in regular exercises to keep her body mobile and flexible. Diet too plays a key role. “Eating the right kind of food for consistent energy and strength and stamina is important.”
Dance, she says, requires her to bring the mind, body and soul to a single point of focus. “It is a meditation in movement. Consistent practice is the key. It helps us forget the body and reach a higher realm,” says Yamini, who will be travelling to the UK soon for her next performance.
Her take on western dance
“Every dance is beautiful in its own right. After all, dance is one of the most primaeval forms of expression. It is cathartic and elevates a performance to another level. Any style of dance has the ability to do this,” she feels adding each dance form is a reflection of the culture of its people.
When not dancing, teaching or choreographing, Yamini loves to read books and is also a big movie buff who likes to watch movies in all languages and genres.
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