"Classical dance, music or any other form of art can't be learnt without spending time with 'guru' because a 'shishya' can't embody the knowledge his guru has to impart without being with him," says Reddy, who has been organising 'Parampara Series' - National Festival of Music and Dance to promote this traditional relationship.
Reddy has been awarded with Padam Shri and Padma Bhushan and has learnt Kuchipudi under his 'guru' Vedantam Prahalada Sarma of Eluru.
"My search for 'guru' ended in Eluru when I met my mentor during a performance there. I along with my wife approached him for learning dance. Traditional 'gurus' in those days taught dance only to boys but seeing our enthusiasm he agreed to teach my wife too," says Reddy, adding they spent three years with Prahalada.
Criticising the current teacher-student relationship, Reddy says there is a lack of involvement in the students about classical forms of art.
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"Gone are the days when people used to sit through out the night to watch Ramayanam or other mythological dramas," he says.
Reddy and his wife Radha teach around hundred students everyday at their dance school Natya Tarangini. The duo has been conferred with honorary doctorates by the University of Hyderabad for their contributions to Kuchipudi.
"Some parents come and tell us that my daughter is going abroad and request us to teach them any small dance because we are known for our art worldwide. I simply refuse because you can't teach such complex forms in a day. Without a strong foundation, it's difficult to learn any classical form of art," Reddy says.