Sobha Naidu practically lives and breathes dance. “There’s nothing except dance in my small world,” she says with a smile. Starting off at age four and enjoying years of glory as an individual performer, today, she is quite content with a life away from the limelight as she runs her dance academy, where hundreds of kids walk in every day to learn the art she so dearly loves.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of her Sreenivasa Kuchipudi Art Academy in Domalguda, 100 of her students will be performing dance ballets composed by her at a grand ceremony at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan today. “I was only a performing artiste in Chennai when the then CM of Andhra Pradesh, Marri Chenna Reddy, proposed that I start an academy for Kuchipudi in Hyderabad. Since the dance has its roots amongst the Telugu people, he felt it ideal that their capital city has a centre to teach it,” she recalls.
And although the academy and her kids are her mainstay today, Sobha admits to several apprehensions initially. “I had never taught anyone how to dance per se. Yes, my guruji (Vempati Chinna Satyam) used to send me to train actresses like Hema Malini and Jayalalitha, but this was something bigger. It felt like I dropped into the ocean without knowing how to swim!” says Sobha.
Looking back however, she says, “After grooming several generations of dancers, I realise this was the best thing to happen to me. Today, I am happiest when I watch my students perform. When they get applauded for their dance, I feel bliss in being a part of their journey.” Over time, several of Sobha’s students have started dance academies in various parts of the world where they teach the dance ballets composed by her to hundreds of students again. “There’s nothing more important to me than propagating Kuchipudi, and as a teacher I have been able to do it,” she says.
Sobha recalls an international dance festival in Tunisia in 1989, where she had one of her most memorable performances. “Every country had huge groups and I was the only solo performer. I was intimidated and considered backing out! But my musicians encouraged me and I went ahead and performed,” she narrates. She is quick to add, “I don’t crave for money, glamour or recognition. I have dedicated my life to Kuchipudi and wish to go on as long as possible. That’s why I have said no to several film offers too. I do not want any kind of diversion from Kuchipudi.”
Expressing concern that encouragement for Kuchipudi, especially in the Telugu speaking states, has reduced, Sobha says, “The popular mediums of entertainment do not really popularise the craft. People say that the public interest doesn’t lie in it but almost all of our programmes have a packed audience. I have very talented students but they rarely get opportunities, which is disheartening.” Concluding she adds, “Parents should show their kids a life away from academics because whatever you do for livelihood is important but an art is always for the livelihood of the heart.”
Milestones
Recipient of the Sangeet Nataka Kala Academy Award and Padma Sri amongst several other recognitions
Has trained over 2,000 students in the last 30 years
Has composed 15 ballets (mythological as well as social dramas)
