Editors Note by Yamini Reddy

In a world increasingly defined by commodification and motivated by profitability, arts are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, let alone thrive. Our era’s culture, is unduly influenced by profit-driven companies with undue power over education, media and arts. Their pervasive impact is manifested in society’s value judgments, aesthetic outlook and philosophy.

As this profit driven- world continues to place lesser and lesser importance by the day on preserving core human values and quality aesthetics which form the core of arts. Artists are finding it hard to find genuine motivation, commitment and means to create. In a world increasingly consumed by capitalism. can an artist truly create with complete freedom without being tied down by financial expectations?

In this issue of our newsletter, we try to understand this relationship between the arts and economics by speaking to stakeholders in the performing arts sector who trying to strike a balance between maintaining integrity and financial security.

Our guest writer for this newsletter is Devina Dutt who is an arts writer, translator, editor and curator based in Mumbai and also the co-founder of First Edition arts. In her article below she beautifully articulates the waning sensitivity towards the art and the artists struggle to stay relevant in this fast-changing world.

We also have an insightful podcast by Aaron Fernandez of AFentertainment, who speaks from his experience as a young Indian arts impresario, about retaining one’s integrity and balancing financial needs in an unstructured art sector, such as in India.

This edition addresses issues which have plagued me for a long time. As a growing artist I found my answers along the way, but I know there are many of you out there who find yourselves often at odds with the principles of your immersive training and surviving the commercial market. So, I hope this issue throws some light on the challenges we are facing and how to deal with them. Our exploration on the subject will continue through panel discussions, podcasts, videos and more. Follow on Instagram @yaminireddydance to know more ! 

– Yamini Reddy 

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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.