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{{Short description|Kuchipudi dancers pair}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Raja and Radha Reddy
| image = The Director General, Films Division, Shri Kuldeep Sinha felicitated Shri Raja and Radha, Kuchipudi Couple dancer, at the DANCING FEET Films on Classical Dances & Gurus, during the IFFI-2010, in Panjim, Goa.jpg
| caption = Raja (middle) and Radha Reddy (right), being felicitated at [[International Film Festival of India|IFFI]] ([[41st International Film Festival of India|2010]])
| birth_date = '''Raja Reddy''' {{birthdate and age| 6 October 1943|df=yes}} Narsapur(g), [[hyderabad state]] '''Radha Reddy''' {{birthdate and age|15 February 1955|df=yes}} [[Adilabad district|Kotalgaon]], [[Hyderabad State (1948–1956)|Hyderabad State]], India
| field = [[Indian Classical Dance]]
| movement = [[Kuchipudi]]
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] 
[[Padma Bhushan]](2000)
| website = {{url|rajaradhareddy.com}}
}}

'''Raja''' (born 6 October 1943) and '''Radha Reddy''' (born 15 February 1955) are an Indian [[Kuchipudi]] dancing couple, [[guru]]s and choreographers. They are renowned as exponents of the South Indian dance form of [[Kuchipudi]]. They founded and run the Natya Tarangini Institute of Kuchipudi Dance in New Delhi. The duo are credited with having given Kuchipudi a new dimension without compromising on its traditional virtues.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stellar Kuchipudi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/dance/article1466422.ece?css=print|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 February 2011|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518172000/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/dance/article15448491.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|title=Doctor dancers|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article484421.ece?css=print|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 June 2010|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518171946/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/Doctor-dancers/article16266811.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> For their services to the field of arts, the [[Government of India]] has conferred on them the [[Padma Shri]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] awards.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Raja Reddy|url=http://www.ccrtindia.gov.in/RajaReddy.htm|publisher=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-date=6 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306011159/http://www.ccrtindia.gov.in/RajaReddy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Radha Reddy|url=http://www.ccrtindia.gov.in/RadhaReddy.htm|publisher=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218102416/http://www.ccrtindia.gov.in/RadhaReddy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life and family==
Raja Reddy was born on 6 October 1943 in Narasapur(g){{clarification needed|reason=Whether the source refers to [[Narasapuram]], West Godavari district or [[Narsapur, Adilabad district]]|date=March 2022}},<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-04-21|title=Connoisseurs of kuchipudi|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/243762/connoisseurs-kuchipudi.html|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> while Radha Reddy was born on 15 February 1955 in Kotalgaon, [[Adilabad district]] of present-day [[Telangana]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Raja and Radha Reddy|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100408962|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Oxford Reference}}</ref>

Raja Reddy holds a Diploma in Choreography and has a bachelor's degree from the [[Osmania University]]. Radha Reddy also has a Diploma in Choreography. In 2010 the duo were conferred honorary doctorates by the [[University of Hyderabad]] for their contributions to Kuchipudi.<ref name="thehindu" /> Raja Reddy is married to Radha and her sister Kaushalya, also a Kuchipudi dancer.<ref>{{cite web|title=ARTISTE'S PROFILE — Kaushalya Reddy|url=http://ccrtindia.gov.in/KaushalyaReddy.htm|publisher=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217221148/http://ccrtindia.gov.in/KaushalyaReddy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="blogs.hindustantimes">{{cite news|title=About Raja Reddy, his dance and two wives|url=http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/just-people/2009/04/14/about-raja-reddy-his-dance-and-two-wives/|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|archive-date=10 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210144250/http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/just-people/2009/04/14/about-raja-reddy-his-dance-and-two-wives/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Raja Radha Reddy and Kaushalya have two children [[Yamini Reddy|Yamini]] and [[Bhavana Reddy]], also Kuchipudi dancers.<ref name="blogs.hindustantimes" />

==Performing career==
Raja Reddy's interest in Kuchipudi began in childhood as he watched performances of Kuchipudi [[Bhagavatam]] by touring folk troupes in his home district of [[Adilabad district|Adilabad]] and later reached a turning point after he saw a performance of Vyjayanthimala’s ''Nagin''.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|title=Kuchipudi ambassadors|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/12/19/stories/2008121950440300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304000034/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/12/19/stories/2008121950440300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2009|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=19 December 2008}}</ref> Radha followed him into Kuchipudi after their wedding. The duo learnt Kuchipudi under their [[guru]] Vedantam Prahalada Sarma of [[Eluru]]. In 1966, on a [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] scholarship, they went to [[Delhi]] where they studied choreography and other stage arts under Guru [[Maya Rao]] at Natya Ballet Centre.<ref name="thehindu_a">{{cite news|title=Constant change|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/constant-change/article3844160.ece|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=31 August 2012}}</ref> Their talent was soon noted and they were invited to dance with doyen of the time including [[Indrani Rehman]]. Their first big break came in 1970 when their performance at the Theatre Tamil Nadu was widely well reviewed and received.<ref name="hindu_a">{{cite news|title=Dedicated to Kuchipudi|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/02/18/stories/2011021850150300.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216055131/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/02/18/stories/2011021850150300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2013|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 February 2011}}</ref> Their performances were also noted by the then [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Minister for Tourism]], [[Dr. Karan Singh]] and by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]] who allotted them a house in Delhi after witnessing their performance during the celebrations of [[Children's Day|Nehru's birth anniversary]].<ref name="hindu" /><ref name="thehindu_a" /> They have since gone on to perform at venues all over the globe. Raja trained students with [[hearing impairment|hearing]] and [[speech impairment]] and at the Blind Relief Association. He has also set to dance a piece based on three poems of former [[President of India|President]] [[APJ Abdul Kalam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=No obstacles to dance|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/11/13/stories/2005111300390500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824181702/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/11/13/stories/2005111300390500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 August 2007|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 November 2005}}</ref> In their careers spanning over five decades and still counting, Drs.Raja and Radha Reddy are the first Indian dancers to perform in the International Dance Festival of Avignon in France and Salzburg (Austria) and the Festivals of India in the USA, UK and Bangladesh. In Ja Radha Reddy inaugurated the "Play House Theatre" in Durban (South Africa) when it was opened to general public post-apartheid, they performed on Mississippi river for the Late President Ford (facilitated by T.N Kaul, then Indian Ambassador to the US) and a galaxy of notable personalities across the globe. They have been conferred India's highest civilian awards Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Nritya Choodamani Awards. They choreographed for the tree of knowledge segment in the [[Commonwealth Games]] opening ceremony in [[Delhi 2010]].{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

==Natya Tarangini==
Raja and Radha started the Natya Tarangini Institute of Kuchipudi dance, which is located in the [[Saket (Delhi)|Saket]] locality of New Delhi.<ref name="thehindu_a" /> The institute trains students in classical dance, music, [[yoga]] and [[Sanskrit]]. The institute also has a mini auditorium, an art gallery and hostel facility on its premises.<ref name="hindu_a" /> The Institute hosts the annual dance and music festival, Parampara Series<ref>{{cite news|title=Fun and fervour|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/fun-and-fervour/article566680.ece|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 August 2010}}</ref> as well as the Shreyasi International Dance Festival which showcases artistes drawn from across the world. The Moscow Classical Ballet, the [[Paul Taylor Dance Company]], [[flamenco]] dancer Jose Porcel and [[whirling dervishes]] are among the groups that have performed at the festival.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lovers of dance in for a treat|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/15/stories/2011021558080200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219054401/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/15/stories/2011021558080200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2011|access-date=31 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 February 2011}}</ref>

[[File:The Director General, Films Division, Shri Kuldeep Sinha, Ms. Bharti Shiraji, Ms. Padma Subramaniyam, Ms. Uma Sharma, Mr. Raja.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Raja and Radha Reddy (right), at [[International Film Festival of India|IFFI]] ([[41st International Film Festival of India|2010]]) Open Forum]]

==Awards==
* [[Padma Shri]] in 1984<ref name="auto">https://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/citation_popup.php?id=779&at=2 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>https://natyatarangini.in/welcome/attachment/dr-raja-reddy-receiving-padma-shree-award/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>
* [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2000<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Name=raja+reddy|title=Padma Awards | Interactive Dashboard|website=www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518171947/http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Name=raja+reddy|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]<ref name="auto"/>
* Lifetime Achievement Award — The Rotary Club Delhi
* Doctorates by the [[University of Hyderabad]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rajaradhareddy.com The Reddys' website]

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reddy, Raja and Radha}}
[[Category:Kuchipudi dancers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Osmania University alumni]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Adilabad district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:Dancers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dance duos]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Women artists from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]]
[[Category:Indian dance groups]]

Raja and Radha Reddy - Revision history

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