Come Sunday 6 August 2023, it will be a Big Day for Sumukha Reddy. Sumukha, born to Lakshmi Pallavi and Venkatram Reddy, and disciple of Guru Deepika Reddy, Chairperson, Telangana Sangeet Natak Akademi, National Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, and Founder Director, Deepanjali, will be performing her Kuchipudi Rangapravesam at Ravindra Bharathi.
Thanks to her grandfather, who envisioned her as a Kuchipudi dancer, Sumukha was first introduced to the artform at the tender age of seven. He brought little Sumukha to Deepanjali to begin her dance journey, and she hasn’t looked back ever since. Sumukha developed a significant interest in the rhythmic nuances of the dance under the guidance of her Guru Deepika Reddy, and displayed immense enthusiasm to learn and grow. This led her to also become a part of Deepanjali’s dance ensemble.
The young debutant has performed in dance ballets of Deepanjali such as Rukmini Krishna, Telangana Vaibhavam and Goda Kalyanam. Some of her most memorable performances along with her Guru include the closing ceremony of Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu, G20 Agricultural Ministers Meeting, CM Cup, Swatantra Bharata Vajrostavalu ‘75 years of Indian Independence’, Natyotsavam Dance Drama Festival at Thiruvananthapuram, Bathukamma Sambaraalu at Raj Bhavan, Domakonda Fort, Shaam-E Hyderabad Dance Festival, inauguration of Sri Ramanujacharya Statue of Equality, Cinare Award Program and the Kalinga Dance Festival amongst others.
An alumna of Delhi Public School, Hyderabad, Sumukha is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Finance at the Singapore Institute of Management. Known for her vivacious energy and effortless movements, Sumukha persistently strives for excellence and also mentors other students at Deepanjali.
For the memorable evening, Sumukha will be dancing to the choreographies of her Guru Deepika Reddy and doyen Late Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. The evening’s performance will begin with a composition of Adi Shankaracharya’s “Ganesha Pancharathnam” in Ragamalika and Adi (Tisragati) talam, followed by “Bhama Pravesa Daruvu”, S V Bhujangaraya Sarma’s composition in Bhairavi ragam and Misrachapu talam, choreographed by Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam. She will show her exquisite dancing skills in Narayana Theertha’s composition, “Shiva Misra hapu Bhava Misra hapu Sharanam” set in Ragamalika and Adi talam, set to music by DSV Sastry. This will be followed by Annamacharya’s “Chakkani Talliki” in Padi ragam and Adi talam with the finale Thillana on a composition of Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna set in Kadana Kuthuhalam ragam and Adi talam.
The music ensemble includes Guru Deepika Reddy on Nattuvangam, Dandibhotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry on Vocals, K Rajagopalacharya on Mridangam, K Sai Kumar on Violin, and V B S Murali on Flute.
The evening’s chief guest, Dr. G. Ranjith Reddy, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Chevella); and other guests – S. V. Krishna Reddy, eminent film director; and Sunitha Upadrasta, renowned playback singer, will be present for Sumukha’s Big Day.