Art is often credited with bringing about a compassionate society and it would be hard to find someone better than the celebrated dancer couple Raja and Radha Reddy, to embody this school of thought. Within moments of interacting with them, one would know that despite perfecting their art with rare excellence; they personify humility in real life.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that they played a pivotal role in putting Kuchipudi, an Indian classical dance form with roots in Andhra Pradesh, on the global map and have enthralled enthralling dance lovers all over the world. They were also known for adapting Kuchipudi to changing times by retaining the depths of tradition and without sacrificing its essence.
Raja and Radha Reddy who were in Bengaluru recently spoke about their unforgettable experience at the Avignon festival, considered one of the world’s greatest art festivals, and why Bengaluru has a special place in their hearts.
Excerpts from the interview:
Though Kuchipudi was your first love, you had to struggle a lot and learn Kathak for almost three years, until Vedantam Prahlada Sarma agreed to teach you. How hard was that phase in your life?
Raja: Yes. Many Kuchipudi dancers bluntly refused to teach me because of my complexion, facial features and weigh. They felt I wasn’t fit to play any female roles. Those days, male dancers were required to look feminine. But learning Kathak helped me a lot rhythmically. When Vedantam Prahlada Sarma (iconic Kuchipudi dancer) came to Hyderabad for a performance, I didn’t want to go alone. And since I didn’t want to be a part of any group, I took Radha along. He accepted us and asked us to come to Eluru, where we started living with him, learning and practicing until we got a scholarship from the Andhra Pradesh government to go to New Delhi. Learning Kuchipudi from Prahlada Sarma was actually a turning point in our lives.
Once we were in Delhi, Maya Rao ji, considered a virtuoso in Kathak, who had earlier spotted us during a performance in Eluru, decided to train us in choreography.
What has been the most unforgettable moment in your illustrious Kuchipudi journey?
Raja: I think it would be when Radha and I were invited to the Avignon festival in France in 1974. We were, in fact, the first dancing couple to be invited there. We were both so tiny and I am so dark complexioned and after seeing the massive stage, I felt even more nervous. But, after we finished performing Dasavataram (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu), we received a standing ovation for 30 minutes! Even after we went down to the green room, we could hear the applause. They called us back to perform nine times. By the tenth time, we were exhausted. But, we did a namaskara (obeisance) to the audience, and only then did they stop clapping. That experience is something we would never forget in our lives.
Another time, we were invited to a Non-Aligned meet at Cuba in 1982, where 110 heads of states from all over the world were present and dancers of all Indian classical forms had performed. After our performance, Cuban President Fidel Castro was so elated that he lifted Indira Gandhi, who was visibly very embarrassed. He later made me promise that we would perform in Cuba.
Radha: The day after the performance in France, when we went shopping, an elderly couple spotted me and touched my feet. That moment, I thanked god and felt extremely blessed.
Maya Rao was from Bangalore herself. Do you have any special memories attached to this city?
Radha: We have a lot of memories from here. In 1967, we had come to Bangalore to perform with Maya didi . Since then, we came here every consecutive year and the city has been like home.
Raja: Maya Rao was great choreographer and a good human being.
What are your other interests, besides dancing?
Raja: Other than reading books relating to dance and music, I am not interested in anything.
Radha: I like to design saris and do a bit of interior designing.
At this stage, what do you enjoy more? Dancing or teaching?
Raja: I find teaching very interesting because while teaching, you learn so many things. But, I experience real happiness when our disciple performs. No amount of money can bring you that feeling.
How much of innovation is appropriate in Kuchipudi, according to you?
Radha: I don’t feel there should be any limitation. Sky is the limit.
Raja: Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh, Mandali Buddha Prasad once came up to me after one of our performances in Silicon Valley, US and said, “You have really moulded Kuchipudi to the modern generation without sacrificing its grammar.” I believe that we should change with times.
Does it bother you when the media or people, in general, find your personal life more fascinating?
Radha: No, no. Absolutely not.
Raja: Many journalists have asked me that how can I be married twice, that too to Radha’s sister, Kaushalya, when it is not acceptable in today’s age. I ask them why they pray to Lord Venkateswara, who has two wives. What about Lord Krishna, who had so many wives and girlfriends?
What are your thoughts on living as an artiste today?
Raja: Today, it is very different from the days of guru-shishya parampara. Back then, a student used to stay with his guru round-the-clock and study the way his guru walks, talks and behaves, and that matters a lot. Today, there are students in the US learning dance virtually.
Radha: Studies are given utmost priority these days. But, when we started learning, we did it out of sheer passion and nothing else.
