Hyderabad, 10th August 2024: Siblings Samyu and Khushi Kamtam, disciples of the renowned Kuchipudi Guru Smt Deepika Reddy Garu, had a mesmerising Rangapravesham at Ravindra Bharathi today. The venue was packed with the audience, cheering and encouraging the sisters as they gracefully performed. Samyu and Khushi captivated the audience with their elegant movements and involved Abhinaya. The performance was power-packed, to say the very least. It was an event of immense grandeur, and elegance and a beautiful showcase of the sisters’ talent and their Guru’s dedication.
The flow of the spectacular performance started with the invocation of Ganesha and Tarangam as a note or an oath to the Lord Shiva. This was followed by a mesmerising performance of Madhura with Lord Krishna and Gopika portrayed by the sisters. Post this, a brilliantly executed performance of Kalikashtakam and Kali Kouthavam was performed. With beautiful expressions and graceful movements, Alarulu Kuriyaga was performed. These glorious performances were concluded with Thillana, executed stunningly by Samyu and Khushi Kamtam.
The chief guests for this auspicious occasion were Smt Madhavi Latha Garu, trustee of Lathama Foundation and the eminent and talented Dr. Tanikella Bharani, famous writer, director and actor. They showered their praise on Samyu and Khushi Kamtam and spoke elaborately of their guru, Smt Deepika Reddy Garu on her commitment to her disciples. The effort, dedication and encouragement from the Guru is evident in the siblings phenomenal performance. The orchestra for this event consisted of Sri Dandibhotla Srinivasa Venkata Sastry as the vocalist, Sri K. Rajagopalacharya on the Mridangam, Sri K. Sai Kumar on the violin, Sri V. B. S. Murali on the flute, Sri. D. Jayakumar Acharya for special effects.
ABOUT SAMYU KAMTAM
With a mother who passionately believed that dance would fill little hearts with joy, Samyu was introduced to Kuchipudi at the tender age of 6, joining the tutelage of renowned Guru Smt. Deepika Reddy a few years later. Under the nurturing guidance of her esteemed Guru, Samyu danced with mirth and joy and blossomed into a passionate dancer, effortlessly executing intricate footwork and powerful movements with grace and precision. Beyond just her dance skill, Samyu’s presence profoundly touches Deepanjali. From being the first to volunteer to help a peer to being invaluable in handling background logistics, Samyu’s holistic contribution is a testament to the warmth and dedication she consistently offers to all. Samyu’s dance journey has taken her to the stages of various prestigious events, including the G20 Agricultural Ministers Meeting, World Tourism Day Celebrations, the inauguration of Sri Ramanujacharya’s Statue of Equality, the World Telugu Conference, Swatantra Bharata Vajrostavam, and the Cinare Award Program. She has also performed in dance ballets, including Telangana Vaibhavam and Goda Kalyanam. During her schooling at Oakridge International School and FIITJEE World School, Samyu excelled in her studies. She represented her high school in kho-kho at the district level and was elected as Head Girl. Samyu completed her Bachelor’s degree in Technology in Computer Science with a minor in Robotics from Birla Institute of Technology and Science. Here, she served as Joint Secretary of the Rotaract Club and organized various activities for the benefit of the community. Her passion for dance led her to become the Dance Head and later Joint-Secretary of her college’s classical arts club, Swaranjali. Samyu is now set to pursue her Master’s in Mechatronics and Robotics at New York University. On this auspicious occasion of her Rangapravesam, Samyu seeks your presence and blessings.
ABOUT KHUSHI KAMTAM
Similar to her sister, Khushi started learning Kuchipudi at the age of 4 and joined Deepanjali at 7. Under the stewardship of the revered Guru Deepika Reddy, her love for Kuchipudi blossomed. She transformed from a naughty child who escaped scoldings with a toothy grin to a young woman who embraced every opportunity to learn. As she soaked in the richness of this art form, every gesture of her hands and movement of her eyes became deeply meaningful. Her Guru’s high standards instilled in her a passion for perfection, which has now become an integral quality in her every endeavor. Khushi has participated in various Deepanjali productions, including Rukmini Krishna, Telangana Vaibhavam, and Goda Kalyanam. Her notable performances include the World Telugu Conference, G20 Agricultural Ministers Meeting, Telangana State Seed Conference, CM Cup, Swatantra Bharata Vajrostavalu, the inauguration of Sri Ramanujacharya’s Statue of Equality, Cinare Award Program, Kalinga Natyotsav, and Gudi Sambaralu at the 1000 Pillar Temple in Warangal. An alumna of FIITJEE World School and Oakridge International School, Khushi excelled academically and received various accolades. She also represented her school in Kho-Kho at the district level. Currently, Khushi is pursuing a degree in Computer Science at BITS, Hyderabad. Her passion for dance led her to become the Dance Head and later, Dance Secretary of her college’s classical arts club, Swaranjali. Her dedication to supporting the underrepresented inspired her to co-found and serve as Vice Chairperson of the BITS Hyderabad Chapter of ACM-W, focusing on bridging the gender gap in tech. Khushi is also an enthusiastic cook and an avid reader. On this auspicious occasion of her Rangapravesam, Khushi seeks your presence and blessings.
ABOUT GURU DEEPIKA REDDY
Deepika Reddy’s journey in dance started five decades ago. She is recognized as an accomplished performer, a creative choreographer, a cultural ambassador and a dedicated Guru. Groomed by the legendary Guru, Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, she is acknowledged as one of the leading exponents of the Kuchipudi art form in the present times. She is the former Chairperson of the Telangana State Sangeet Natak Akademi.
She is the recipient of the prestigious National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to Kuchipudi. She is also the recipient of Telangana Govt. State Award, Kala Ratna Andhra Pradesh Govt. State Award, Nritya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Natya Kalasarathy from Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Vani Kala Sudhakara from Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao Swarna Kankanam, Devdasi National Award, Nataraja Sanman, Natya Ilavarasi, Natya Visharada, Rashtriya Vikas Shiromani, Guru Debaprasad Award, Vempati Chinna Satyam Lifetime Achievement Award, honorary citizenship of Miyoshi, Japan and many more.
Deepika has performed extensively in prestigious dance festivals in India and abroad, like Festival of India in Berlin, Sri Lankan Parliament, Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, Intl. Festivals at Bangkok and South Korea, 70 years of Indian Independence celebrations in Turkey, France, Serbia, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, Dubai, USA, and Rashtrapathi Bhavan. She choreographed and presented Kuchipudi in the production “Ritu Samhar” directed by the legendary guru, Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj.
She was a member of Regional Film Censor Board, jury member of Nandi State Film Awards and former Chairperson of the Cultural Committee of the International Children’s Film Festival. Deepika received rave reviews after her TEDX talk ‘Divine form of Expression’ at ISB.
With a passion to take Kuchipudi to the next generation, Deepika Reddy founded Deepanjali, an institute striving for excellence in Kuchipudi where she imparts training to hundreds of students. She has also made a concerted effort to train economically disadvantaged children. Productions of Deepanjali on mythological as well as subjects of topical interest to convey relevant messages to society have been well appreciated by critics and audiences alike. These include Stri Trayam, Jayosthu Kuchipudi, Andhramu, Tyagaraja Bhakthi Vaibhavam, Rang, Ramaneeya Prakrithi, Vande Shambum, Griha Kalpam, Prakrithi Rakshathi Rakshithaha, Hari Hara Vaibhavam, Vaidyo Narayano Harihi, Shiva Satheeyam, Telangana Vaibhavam, Vande Bharatha Matharam, Prathisandhi Ramayana, Telangana Sahithi Sourabham, Rukmini Krishna, Goda Kalyanam, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Vajra Bharathi. She has been acclaimed for her involved portrayal of women centric characters like Rukmini, Draupadi, Mandodari, Savitri, Sita, Dakshayani, Kaikeyi, Rudrama, Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai and many others.