Deepanjali School for excellence in Kuchipudi, presents the Rangapravesham of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and Guru Smt. Deepika Reddy, disciple, Anjali Reddy at Ravindra Bharathi from 6pm onwards on the Second Saturday of February 2024.
On the Big Day, under the watchful eye of Guru Deepika Reddy, Anjali will be beginning the evening’s performance with ‘Ganesha Pancharatnam’ of Adi Shankaracharya set in Ragamalika and Adi (Tisragati) Talam. Followed by ‘Gowri Sukumari’ of N Ch Krishnamacharyulu, in Vasantha Ragam and Adi Talam, ‘Shiva Krishnamacharya Bhava’ of composer Narayana Theertha set to music by D S V Sastry, in Ragamalika and Adi Talam, Annamacharya’s ‘Vachenu Alamelumanga’, set to tune by Balakrishna Prasad in Hindola and Adi Talam. The finale will be ‘Thillana’ of Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna in ‘Kadana Kuthuhalam’ Ragam and Adi Talam.
The Music Orchestra includes Guru Deepika Reddy on the Nattuvangam, DSV Sastry on the Vocal, K Rajagopalacharya on the Mridangam, K Sai Kumar on the Violin, VBS Murali on the Flute. Shloka Reddy and Mounika Reddy will be the Emcee of the event.
The distinguished guests for the evening include N. Padmavathi Reddy (B. Arch) MLA – Kodad, T.S.; Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; Ananda Shankar Jayant, Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; and Dil Raju, Film Producer, President of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce.
Born to Soujanya and Jaideep Reddy, Anjali, since her toddling days was found to be tapping her feet to music. For Anjali’s mother, Soujanya, dance is the ultimate expression of joy and she always wanted her daughter to learn dance. “Anjali began her journey with Kuchipudi at the tender age of five, and, early on, demonstrated a natural proclivity for stage performances. She first performed at the Chinna Jeeyar Ashram in New Jersey, blessed by Chinna Jeeyar Swamy himself,” says her mother. Anjali had the opportunity of being chosen to play the classical role of Baktha Prahlada, amidst several other performances.
After her parents moved to India, Anjali came in touch with Guru Deepika Reddy, her training began. Currently, pursuing Law at the NALSAR University, Anjali has been learning dance for the last nine years. According to her Guru, Anjali has enhanced her technical prowess and discovered new depths of her potential, evolving into someone who dances with ease, showcasing fluid and graceful movements.
Anjali has been part of several Deepanjali productions, including ‘Rukmini Krishna’ and ‘Telangana Vaibhavam’. According to the young dancer, her most memorable performances alongside her Guru are the Natyotsavam Dance Drama Festival at Thiruvananthapuram, Swatantra Bharata Vajrotsavalu, the inauguration of Sri Ramanujacharya Statue of Equality, Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu, Bathukamma Sambharalu at Raj Bhavan, Kalinga Natyotsav, CM Cup, 1000 Pillar Temple at Warangal, Domakonda Fort and the inauguration of the Bansilalpet step-well, among many others.
Amidst the drum of performances and practice, Anjali adeptly balances her academic pursuits with her intrigue for the classical arts. Anjali completed her schooling at Future Kids School and is now studying Law at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. In addition to this, her classical endeavours include a decade of learning the Western violin, playing in her middle school orchestra, and learning the Carnatic style of violin. Her creative spirit extends to a love for painting, particularly murals, and an affinity for Indian art forms inspired by the Pichwai and Madhubani styles of art. At the centre of it all, dance has become a rhythmic motion in Anjali’s life which she committedly strives towards.