Editor’s Note by Yamini Reddy

“Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn’t give you what you desire – it tells you how to desire.” ― Slavoj Žižek

The undeniable connection of Classical Dance and Cinema has kept us entertained for many years. From the time when Cinema first came to India in 1876, till today Classical dance has been a part of it. In Bombay, cinema was an extension of the Parsi theatre. In the south, sound picture came around 1931 and the first Telugu sound picture released was, ‘Bhakta Prahalada’ (which was again and extension of one of the very first and popular Yakshaganas at the time). ‘Raitu Bidda’ (1939) was the first film to feature Kuchipudi dance and a Kuchipudi dancer, Vedantam Raghavayya.

The bond between Classical dance and Cinema runs old and deep. Cinema has inspired dancers and Cinema has been inspired by dance. I know for a fact that my father was inspired by the movie ‘Nagin’ 1954, which he watched 17 times only for Vyjayanthimala’s dance.

We have all grown up watching movies like Navrang, Mughal-E-Azam, Mayabazaar, Shankarabharanam, Ananda Bhairavi, which have stunning dance visuals and soulful stories so intricately woven into them. Yet when it comes to classical dance, we are constantly trying to distance ourselves from Cinema. We are overtly critical of its misrepresentation in movies. Film dance is seen as a lesser, stigmatized form than classical dance, as put by Ramya Putcha in her in study ‘REVISITING THE CLASSICAL: A CRITICAL HISTORY OF KUCHIPUDI DANCE’ ‘As a cultural product, film dance is cast as a debased, Westernized form, lacking in structure and sincerity, while classical dance is based on principles of religiosity and purity. A dancer took a risk by associating himself/herself with the industry. For a dancer to participate in the film world implies a departure from a traditional route as a teacher into a treacherous, albeit glamorous, world.’

It made me wonder about these two overlapping art forms which are inextricable. So, I decided to explore it further through my newsletter. Our guest writer for this issue is young and dynamic ‘Srivathsan Nadadhur’ who has explored the relation between dance and cinema through interesting nuggets and videos. The most interesting section is Srivathsan’s Interview with well known dance scholar and cinema critic Shri V.A.K Ranga Rao. VAK spoke to us about Cinema and Dance at length, the conversation was an eyeopener.

The Unravelling Kuchipudi section features an article by Dr. Anuradha Jonnalagadda and Katyayani Thota, where they take you through Kuchipudi’s Journey in Cinema. A must read for anyone who wants to explore Kuchipudi’s journey through cinema.
Finally, this issue is richly illustrated with videos and photographs which will be beautiful windows into the past of Dance and Cinema. Hope you enjoy it.

Don’t forget to follow me on @yaminireddydance to watch interesting conversations on various aspects relating to Kuchipudi. Until next time.


-Yamini Reddy

#DancewithYamini

In association with @attorneyforcreator, I engaged in a live conversation with Shri B.N. Srikrishna and Shloka Vaidialingam to discuss Copyrights & Performing Arts.

This conversation gave an insight into the function of the copyrights and more in the performing arts.

To watch this full conversation, Click Here

To read a synopsis of the conversation Click below

British Council invites collaborative proposals for arts and culture projects from India and UK-based organisations, festivals, and institutions for the India-UK Together 2022 programme to mark India’s 75th anniversary of Independence in 2022- 2023.

For further information, Click Here

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Learn more about the art and craft of Kuchipudi.

Legendary Kuchipudi Dancing couple, Raja and Radha Reddy, is responsible for bringing Kuchipudi dance, the pride of Andhra Pradesh, onto the cultural map of the world.

Legendary Kuchipudi Dancing couple, Raja and Radha Reddy, is responsible for bringing Kuchipudi dance, the pride of Andhra Pradesh, onto the cultural map of the world.
For their contribution to the art form they have been decorated with many awards nationally and internationally. They have had the honor of performing for presidents and prime ministers of many countries such as President Ford, Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro etc. They have conducted charity shows for Red Cross Society, Blind Relief Association, and the home for the aged people in Bombay and CRY. They had the honor of being invited as the first Indian dancers to participate in the International Dance festival of Avignon in France and Salzburg in Austria.

The couple’s contribution to the festival of India in the USA and the UK was considered outstanding. They were the star attraction of the All Star Ballet Gala festival in Japan. The Reddys inaugurated the India Festival in Bangladesh. Raja and Radha Reddy have created history by becoming the first couple to receive Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan award individually and simultaneously for the same cause by the President of India, the Sangeet Natak Academy award, International Meridian award etc.