Gaddam Padmaja Reddy | |
|---|---|
 Reddy performingKakatiyam in 2018 | |
| Born | (1967-01-01)1 January 1967 (age 58) Pamarru, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Kuchipudi dancer |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Gaddam Ganga Reddy (father-in-law) |
| Awards | See Awards |
Gaddam Padmaja Reddy (born 1 January 1967) is an IndianKuchipudi exponent and music teacher. She performs ballets on mythological themes and contemporary social issues. She choreographedKakatiyam, a Kuchipudi visual dance form. She was conferred withKala Ratna in 2006, India's highest art award–Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2015 andPadma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in the field of art for 2022.
Padmaja Reddy was born on 1 January 1967[1] in aReddy family[2] to G. V. Reddy and Swarajyalakshmi inPamarru, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh.[3][4] She grew up at her grandparents house in Pamarru.[4] She later moved to Hyderabad.[5] Her family lived inYousufguda. She was educated in St. Theresa School and then in Reddy College.[6] She graduated in Bachelor of Arts.[2]
Reddy trained in Kuchipudi fromShobha Naidu.[1] Reddy gained recognition for her performance in the roles ofSatyabhama andRudrama Devi.[3] In an interview, she said she wanted to perform on a unique topic rather than the mythological stories, which are in common occurrences.[2] She developed and performed several Kuchipudi dance forms that build awareness on contemporary social issues, some of which includes the balletsBruna Hatyalu,Jagruthi,Vajra Bharati,Namaste India,Season of Flowers.Bruna Hatyalu condemnsfemale foeticides–selectiveabortions of female babies,Jagruthi explores issues surroundingHIV/AIDS andVajra Bharati tries to ignite the ethos of national integrity among people.[7][4][8][9] Apart from social issues, she performs in ballets involving mythology. Some of her mythological works includeBhamakalapam,Mahishashura Mardhini,Navadurgalu andKakatiyam.[10][8]
She teaches Kuchipudi at "Pranav Institute of Kuchipudi Dance" academy, named after her son Pranav.[11][1]
Reddy said in an interview that she wanted to develop a classical dance form that is based culture ofTelangana. She developedKakatiyam, a two-part Kuchipudi classical visual dance form based on the history and themes ofRamappa Temple, sculpture and dance forms during the period ofKakatiya dynasty. She said the dance concept was based on her research on the Ramappa Temple,Thousand Pillar Temple andWarangal Fort in formatting the dance form.[12][2] According to her, it is based onNritta Ratnavali – a book written byJayapa Senani, a military commander of the Kakatiyas, documenting the dance forms of 13th century.[4][8]
She performed the role ofRudrama Devi, queen of the Kakatiya dynasty.[13] The first part of the dance was performed in February 2017 and the second part was presented in December 2021, both inShilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad.[12][14] According to Reddy, the split of the ballet in two parts was due to the vastness of the dance concepts documented inNritta Ratnavali and only some of them were chosen due to "budget and feasibility".[15]
"I am just sowing the seed, nurturing and letting it grow is everyone’s responsibility. I consider the hurdles as my stepping stones and nothing would stop me from taking this art form to the people of Telangana."
Reddy said she plans to further study the book and present the dance concepts in future performances, which were currently omitted in the two-part play.[15]
Reddy worked as a member of National Tourism Advisory Council in 2012 and had been a member of the General Assembly of Indian Council of Cultural Relations.[3]
Reddy was conferred several honours and awards.[3] Prominent ones include the doctorate degree fromSri Krishnadevaraya University in 2005 and an honorary doctorate bySri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam in 2022.[1][16] In 2006, she was awarded withKala Ratna by theunited Andhra Pradesh government.[17] She was awarded theSangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award in arts in India,[18] for her contributions to Kuchipudi in 2015 and became the first dancer fromTelangana to receive the award.[19] Later in 2022, theGovernment of India conferred her withPadma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award,[20] in the field of arts.[21]
Padmaja Reddy married Gaddam Srinivas Reddy in 1988,[5] who is a son ofGaddam Ganga Reddy, formerMember of Parliament andMember of the Legislative Assembly. They have a son, Pranav.[4] She resides inBegumpet, a neighbourhood in Hyderabad.[22]
