G. Padmaja Reddy

🪔 About

Gaddam Padmaja Reddy, born on January 1, 1967, in Pamarru, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, is a distinguished Indian classical dancer and Kuchipudi exponent. She received her training in Kuchipudi under the tutelage of renowned guru Shobha Naidu. Reddy later moved to Hyderabad, which became her primary city of operation. Throughout her extensive career, spanning over five decades with more than 3,000 performances across 100 countries, Padmaja Reddy has established herself as a performer, teacher, guru, choreographer, and researcher. She is particularly recognized for her innovative approach to Kuchipudi, performing ballets on both mythological themes and contemporary social issues. Her notable mythological works include Bhamakalapam, Mahishashura Mardhini, and Navadurgalu. She has also choreographed ballets addressing social concerns such as 'Bruna Hatyalu' (condemning female foeticides), 'Jagruthi' (exploring HIV/AIDS issues), and 'Vajra Bharati' (igniting national integrity). Padmaja Reddy's most significant contribution to Indian classical dance is the development and choreography of "Kakatiyam," a unique two-part Kuchipudi visual dance form. This form is based on the rich history, culture, and sculptural heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty, drawing inspiration from the 13th-century text 'Nritta Ratnavali' by Jayapa Senani. She performed the first part of 'Kakatiyam' in February 2017 and the second part in December 2021, both in Hyderabad. 'Kakatiyam Part III' was presented in July 2024. Her dedication to the art form is evident in her daily practice regimen of eight hours. She is the founder of the Pranav Institute of Kuchipudi Dance, where she imparts training to young dancers. Her work has been widely acclaimed, earning her numerous prestigious awards and honors. Awards & Honours: Natya Visharadha (1994), Doctorate Degree (2005), Kala Ratna (2006), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2015), Padma Shri (2022), Honorary Doctorate (2022).