Kuchipudi Bhavana Reddy – 4th Annual International Student Showcase, 2024 [Video]

Bhavana Reddy Student’s Showcase presented by International Center for Kuchipudi Dance (ICKD) in Austin, Texas and on Youtube for the extended international student community from Europe, Dubai and India

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Online Workshop Dec 8th, 2024 at https://lu.ma/mskb5jti
Online Classes Jan 15th, 2025 at https://lu.ma/gweas7qt

This showcase is a celebration of the students’ dedication and passion for Kuchipudi, one of India’s revered classical dance forms. Kuchipudi is a dance drama form that originated in the temples of ancient Andhra and is set in the Natya Shastra to be over 2000 years old.

Bhavana Reddy, comes from a 60 year old legacy of Kuchipudi dance and is currently based in Los Angeles & New Delhi, India. She is trained by her gurus, parents and Kuchipudi Icons Raja and Radha Reddy, who are the contemporaries of western ballet icons Nureyev and Dupont with whom they shared a stage at the Salzburg, Avignon Festivals and the All Star Ballet Gala Festival in Japan. Bhavana has been closely mentored and her prowess honed by her father Dr. Raja Reddy (recipient of third highest civilian award of India). She has been trained to reign as a dancer extraordinaire, unrelenting educator, institution builder and innovative choreographer. Her experience in these matters are unparalleled for a professional Kuchipudi dancer of her age. She has dedicated her life to Kuchipudi and for this she has been awarded two national awards by the Indian government and the prestigious Jiri Kylian grant in Europe amongst many other awards.

A two time national awardee, an empanelled artiste of Indian Diplomacy Council ICCR and Doordarshan panels, where she is sent to various countries as a representing specialist in Kuchipudi to further diplomatic, political and cultural relations for India abroad. She is also listed as one the famous proponents of Kuchipudi in India’s Academic Textbooks set by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Her Kuchipudi stage career spans over three decades and four continents as she began as a prodigal soloist in her legendary family’s dance quintet.

She trains students from various cities of USA and abroad, who regularly train online via zoom. Each year ICKD stages a pop-up intensive and concert for the students to showcase their skill and training. This year the concert took place in Austin and presented an array of traditional Kuchipudi performances that promise to enthrall and inspire. She has 30 dedicated online disciples from primarily the USA (Texas, California, Philadelphia, Arizona, Washington), Bahamas, Canada, Europe, UAE, and India pursuing education. Past students hail from Malaysia, Australia and the UK. Disciples enroll in yearly courses and perform annually in showcases organized by ICKD. ICKD has organized 4 digital showcases and 3 in-person showcases so far.

Following last year’s grand in-person showcase in San Francisco, we are excited to have marked the fourth year with a live event in Austin, showcasing the talents and dedication of students.
This years credits:

GURU Bhavana Reddy
CHOREOGRAPHER & MASTER GURU Raja Radha Reddy
MUSICIANS
Vocalists – Sudha Raghuraman, Sai Bhawani, Deevi Ravikanth
Nattuvagam – Kaushalya Reddy & Raja Reddy
Mridangists – Banna Bhaskar Rao, Chandrashekhar & Manohar Balatchandirane
Violonists – VSK Anna Dorai & Raghavendra
Flutists – Govindarajan Raghuraman

DISCIPLES
Harshini Merugumala, Texas
Prasanthi Muppireddy, California
Anusha Padmini, Texas
Akhila Munganda, Texas
Ananya Jayanty, California
Radha Sri, Vijayawada Telangana
Swecha Pitta, Texas
Shrika Talapragada, Philadelphia
Aanya Lakka, Texas
Mahiti Kandakuri, Dubai
Akira Janu, Telangana India
Naina Singh, Luxembourg
Roshini Velamuri, Oregon
Darshita Palreddy, Washington
Aarushi Aravind, Arizona
Dhriti Mudigonda, Illinois
Sowmya Ramisetti California

We look forward to your presence and support in upcoming concerts workshops and classes as we celebrate the ancient art of Kuchipudi and the accomplishments of our community.