It’s not typically {that a} dancer turns into synonymous with sure roles. However Shobha Naidu’s creative journey was outlined by the function of Satyabhama, which she carried out innumerable occasions on the insistence of audiences. Her trendy gait, these giant expressive eyes, the gorgeous smile… she owned the stage from the second she stepped on it.
As an artiste, I’m immensely beholden to her. She impressed me to make dance my calling. When at school, I occurred to look at her within the function of Padmavathi in Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam’s in style manufacturing, ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’. I recall leaving the corridor utterly mesmerised. And by the point I reached dwelling, I knew Kuchipudi was the place my coronary heart lay. I headed to Chennai to coach beneath the inimitable Guru Vempati.
Like guru, like sishya
Shobha Naidu was not solely among the many guru’s foremost disciples, however the one who amazingly translated his ideas and concepts by her dance. She would convey alive the nuances in his choreographic works in her distinct manner. I can’t neglect her sensible portrayal of Chandalika. She tugged at our heartstrings along with her abhinaya in ‘Enduku Naki Shapamaya’. She used to recount how, when grasp was choreographing ‘Oyi Dinajanavana’ for her, he remarked in anger at some point that she was unfit to bounce. This pushed her to practise relentlessly until he lastly nodded in appreciation. They made an important guru-sishya mixture.
Shobha’s enchantment lower throughout dance kinds, and he or she was capable of popularise Kuchipudi all over the world. What set her aside as a dancer was additionally her versatility; she might play any function with ease, together with male roles.
A heat and humble particular person off stage, she would rework right into a placing performer as soon as she donned the costume and placed on the make-up.
Up to now few years, Shobha had devoted herself to grooming younger lovers within the idiom. A loving and beneficiant guru, she would information them in each potential manner. Each time I invited her to Deepanjali, my dance faculty, she would at all times flip up and wholeheartedly recognize one thing she preferred. On the identical time, she would additionally level out all the failings in probably the most well mannered method. The second I heard of her demise, I scrolled although the complimentary messages she despatched me after watching my tribute video to Covid employees.
A number of years in the past, whereas making ready for a Kuchipudi competition themed on Annamacharya kritis, once I got here to know she could be performing her favorite piece, ‘Paluku Tenela Talli’, I known as her as much as request if I might do it as an alternative. She instantly agreed. ‘I’ll do ‘Okapari Kokapari,’’ she stated. For me, every time I’ve watched Shobha carry out ‘Paluku Tenela Talli’, it has taken me nearer to my artwork.
Within the shifting cultural dynamics of right this moment, she held on to her conventional moorings, bringing alive age-old padams and javalis. If we have a look at the trajectory of her work, each as a soloist and a choreographer, we are going to perceive what gave her the energy to rule the world of Kuchipudi until her final breath. The rhythm of her gajjalu (bells) will proceed to echo.
Deepika Reddy
The writer is a well known Kuchipudi dancer primarily based in Hyderabad.
