Just like every child, Siddhi Kamakshi Pamidighantam, was first introduced to classical dance at a very young age by her mother Aarthi. Her early exposure to different dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kuchipudi by her mother paved the way for her passion towards Kuchipudi. After a brief period of learning, Siddhi came in touch with Sangeet Natak Akademy awardee Guru Deepika Reddy and her journey to become a professional dancer began.
“Deepika Garu warmly welcomed me and the beautiful journey in Kuchipudi began at the Deepanjali Institute of Kuchipudi,” she says. The youngster says that even after nine years at the institute, she is even today captivated by Guru Deepika Reddy’s creative choreography and unique style of approaching subjects of topical interest.
Siddhi has performed in several group productions of Deepanjali such as ‘Rukmini Krishna’, ‘Shiva Satheeyam’ and ‘Telangana Vaibhavam’. Some of her memorable performances along with her Guru were at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, closing ceremony of Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu and at prestigious dance festivals such as Hampi Utsav, Nishagandhi Dance Festival and Kinkini Dance Festival.
According to her guru, Siddhi is adept at her elegance and ability to emote. “She is a strong dancer and is appreciated for her internalized abhinaya. Siddhi is very focused and hard-working,” she says. Siddhi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance from St. Francis College for Women and will soon be pursuing MBA program at the Jindal Global University in Sonipat.
Siddhi began her Rangapravesham at Ravindra Bharathi recently with Adi Shankaracharya’s composition- Ganesha Pancharathnam, in Ragam Ragamalika, Talam Adi (Tisragati); followed by N Ch Krishnamacharyulu’s Gowri Sukumari in Ragam Vasantha in Talam Adi; Narayana Theertha’s Veekshe Kada Devadevambin Ragam Ragamalika, Talam Adi; Dharmapuri Subbarayar’s Smara Sundaranguni, Thillana, and end it with Mangalam Ramachandraya. All the dance pieces of Siddhi have been choreographed by Guru Deepika Reddy.
Guru Smt. Deepika Reddy was on Nattuvangam, Sri Dandibhotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry on vocal, Sri K Rajagopalacharya on Mridangam, Sri K Sai Kumar on violin, Sri V B S Murali on flute.
The honoured guests for the evening were Shri LV Subramanyam, IAS (Rtd), Former Chief Secretary to Govt of Andhra Pradesh; Mahamahopadyaya Pracharya Salaka Raghunatha Sarma, Sri Krishnadevaraya University; Prof. Aruna Bhikshu, Former HoD, Department of Dance, SN School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad.