Abhinaya Nagajothy has won many hearts with her spontaneity and impressive stage presence since her debut performance at the British Embassy at the age of five. Her expressive eyes and slim physique leave a lasting impression on people with refined tastes.
Abhinaya received critical acclaim for her solo performance at Jammu's Sangeet Natak Academy's Nritya Pratibha and other notable performances at the Delhi International Art Festival, Indradhanush Festival, Ananya Festival, Jhansi Ayurved Festival, Chaba Dance Festival, Rukmini Devi Arundale Festival, and others. She made her debut in Indian cinema when RGV banners noticed her and cast her in the Telugu film Usuru.
What made you choose dance as a profession?
I belong to a dancing family. My parents, Guru Seetha Nagajothy and Guru P. Nagajothy are great dancers and also my foremost gurus. So ever since childhood, I had that urge to choose dancing as my profession but had no clarity about any specific dance form. But gradually, I developed a keen interest in Kuchipudi, and now I have become a renowned Kuchipudi dancer and researcher.
Tell us about your first performance experience
I performed my debut at the British Embassy at age five.
"I would rather like to call it my first interaction with the audience.
I felt excited and confident while receiving loads of applause and appreciation for my performance".
However, my first full-fledged performance happened in 2006 at IIT.
Can you share one of your most memorable onstage performances of yours?
Playing the character of Ravana was one of my most pleasant experiences. We represented the act where Ravana went to meet Lord Shiva at Kailasha. During that act, I got an opportunity to explore more about the characteristics of Ravana other than a Villain, and it touched my heart.
When was Kucchipudi introduced, and what makes it unique?
Sidhyendra Yogi created the dance-drama Bhama Kalapam in the 17th century, which tells the story of Satyabhama, the alluring but envious wife of Lord Krishna, and is credited with giving rise to Kuchipudi. Before the dance performance, incense is burned, and holy water is sprinkled. The characters are introduced, the goddesses of knowledge, wealth, and energy are invoked, and songs about each character's role are in the play. Men have traditionally filled every role. Every Brahman, or priest in the Kuchipudi village, must play Sathyabama at least once as a sacrifice to Krishna.
Furthermore, Kuchipudi was the only dance form that included social issues and could be performed in the fields in front of labourers and farmers. In contrast, other classical dance forms were performed inside the temples where only elite people could enjoy them. That makes it outstanding.
One of your most memorable onstage performances of yours?
How did Kuchipudi evolve post-independence?
Kuchipudi was only practised by Vaidiki Brahmins and was primarily male-oriented. Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastri and Cinta Venkataramayya were among the gurus who contributed significantly to the dance form. After independence, hereditary caste and gender boundaries were also crossed in India, expanding the market for the form. This was due to socio-cultural and political changes in the area. After the 1960s, women artists such as Yamini Krishnamurthy, Lanka Annapurna, and Sumathy Kaushal began to perform in Kuchipudi. My mother also learned Kuchipudi during this era. Many elegant dancers, such as Radha and Raja Reddy, Jayarama-Vanashree Rao, and Swapna Sundari, have gained national and international acclaim.
What is the attitude of today's youngsters towards the Kuchipudi dance form?
Earlier, the disciples used to learn dance forms with full devotion. They would come daily and practise for hours. Today people either come on Saturdays and Sundays for merely an hour or two or learn a couple of steps from TV or YouTube and start shaking their bodies. Shortcuts may lead them to dance, but they won't be able to master the expressions and emotions within less time.
At present, how do you see classical dancing for sustenance?
Classical dancing is not a promising career option for today's generation. I suggest youngsters indulge in any 9-5 job and keep dancing side by side. Or else they can study the specific dance form they like, pursue Ph.D. and become a professor to explore more about it and maintain a healthy balance between dancing and profession.
Final Words
Abhinaya Nagajothy got her name inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for participating in the 2010 International Kuchipudi Convention. The Delhi Tamil Sangam bestowed the title "Natya Yuva Mani" on her in 2011 in recognition of her zeal and dedication to promoting Kuchipudi. She holds a Kuchipudi certificate of distinction from PSR University and the title "Nritya Paripoorna" from the APKA Society.
Abhinaya is currently assisting her parents in running classes and workshops for the Abhinaya Praneetha Kuchipudi Art Society (regd.). Her long-term goals include spreading Kuchipudi and establishing a Kuchipudi-focused school.
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