Bhavana Reddy

As a child prodigy, Los Angeles Times review headlined “Indian Classical Soloists Stand Out” mentioned “The Reddys’ 8-year-old daughter, Bhavana, made her mark, displaying a budding ability to mesmerize in her own solo.” - Jennifer Fisher 

Today, Bhavana brings youth and vitality to this 2000 year old tradition named Kuchipudi dance. Daughter and Disciple of Kuchipudi Icons, Raja Radha Reddy who have shared the stage with international figures Nureyev, Dupont and Indrani Rehman. Bhavana represents an internationally prestigious legacy. 

She is a world renowned performer, Indian national awardee, recipient of prestigious Jiri Kylian European grant, an empaneled artiste for Indian Diplomacy Council ICCR and National TV Broadcasting Doordarshan, as a specialist in Kuchipudi Dance to further diplomatic, political and cultural relations for India worldwide. She is listed as one the famous proponents of Kuchipudi in India’s Academic Textbooks set by the National Council of Educational Research and Training. Bhavana has been closely mentored and her prowess honed by her father Dr. Raja Reddy to reign as a dancer extraordinaire, unrelenting educator, institution builder and innovative choreographer.

Bhavana has dedicated her life fully in the service of this artform, its research, study, performance, creation and instruction. While she is a full time performer, Bhavana perseveres to place Kuchipudi dance on the world map in the new digital age as well. In one such venture Bhavana Reddy founded the International Center for Kuchipudi Dance, ICKD, an online community in 2020. She has disciples from the USA, Europe, UAE, Australia and India enrolled with her.

OFFERINGS: Performances, Lecture Demonstrations, Student Matinees, Workshops, Masterclasses, Curriculums for Academic Institutions across the world. Regular virtual live monthly classes with disciples from the USA, Europe, UAE, Australia and India.

She has toured USA, Canada, Europe, South East Asia, United Arab Emirates from the tender age of four and continues to do numerous command performances and invited performances for Presidents, Prime Ministers, Vice presidents, diplomats and royalty around the world. Recently, Bhavana was invited and commissioned by Ministry of Culture SNA to perform for an exclusive Short Film on Performing Arts for the New Parliament House in New Delhi.

She is constantly in the media eye for her contributions to Kuchipudi as a performer and educator and is routinely invited for press, TV and radio appearances, interviews short docs and more. She has been featured in Interviews with BBC, Doordarshan, Star TV, NewsX, Zee, Regional TV channels, ETV, and more. NCERT, National Council for Education and Research Training lists Bhavana as one of the famous proponents of Kuchipudi Dance form.

Few invited and command performances include:

Additional tours include :

USA (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2014) Solo Tours (2018)

Europe (1999, 2000, 2006, 2016) Solo Tour (2019, 2022)

UAE (1997, 1998, 2006, 2007)

South East Asia (2002, 2003) Solo Tour (2015, 2019)

In 2006, Raja Radha Reddy and family earned a record in the Limca Book of World Records as the first dancing family in the world. 

INVITED COLLABORATIONS:

• ‘Artist-in-Residence’ choreographed with Leo Spreksel for India Dans Festival, Korzo Netherlands,

• Collaboration of Kuchipudi and Jazz music with Prof. Ronan Guilfoyle, Director School of Jazz, Dublin City University, Ireland.

• Rite of Spring with Kitty Mcnamee & Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.

• NATYAM III course material in Kuchipudi for UT San Antonio.

HONORS: 

• National Honor from Ministry of Culture Govt of India Body ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi’ Yuva Puraskar

• FICCI YFLO by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry for contribution to Kuchipudi Dance

• Honored with a prestigious grant from renowned European choreographer Jiri Kylian’s Foundation.

• Singapore based Kamala Club

• Houston Telugu Cultural Association

• Femina North Powerlist Award, Punjab Kesari Award, News24 and more

EDUCATION

• B. COM (Hons) from Lady Sri Ram College for Women, New Delhi passed with 1st division

• AA degree in Vocals and Independent Artist Prgram from Musicians Institute Hollywood with student award from “Best Independent Artist Project”

• Certificate in Karanas from Dr. Padma Subramaniam

POSITIONS HELD

• Founder & Exec. Director International Center for Kuchipudi Dance, USA

• Artistic Director Bhavana Reddy Repertory, USA & India

• Director & Faculty at Natya Tarangini, India

• Assistant Choreographer Raja Radha Reddy , India

Bhavana is a complete combination of the elements of Kuchipudi Dance - Drama and Music. In her stage performances, she has been praised for her flawless footwork; as a marvellous actor with her histrionics; prowess in abhinaya while rendering of singing verses and captivating stage presence. She released a solo EP, Tangled in Emotions that received extensive community radio play and rave reviews in magazines, newspapers and blogs in USA, India and Australia. She sang the title song The End in the Hollywood film, Joy Ride 3. She then went on to stage an unprecedented production named Faces combining pure Kuchipudi Indian Classical Dance with her Western music compositions. The entire production was executed by her band and was composed, written, choreographed and directed by Bhavana. After this, her father picked her up as assistant choreographer for the Raja Radha Reddy Repertory.