Sandhya Raju

Byrraju Sandhya Raju (born as Sri Sandhya Raju) is an Indian Kuchipudi dancer and actress.[3] She is recipient of a National Film Award.

Sandhya Raju[1]
Born
Sri Sandhya Raju

Madras (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Kuchipudi dancer
[2]
Years active2012–present
Spouse
Rama Raju
​
(m. 2007)​
Children1

Early life

Raju completed her primary education at Krishnamurti Foundation's The School KFI Chennai, her high school in Bala Vidya Mandir, Chennai and studied briefly at Loyola College, Chennai and graduated from Osmania University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She began her training as a Kuchipudi Dancer at the tender age of ten under Vempati Chinna Satyam at the Kuchipudi Art Academy which was next door to her house. She was also trained by prominent Kuchipudi Guru Kishore Mosalikanti.[4] and completed her Rangapravesham under his guidance.

Career

She made her acting debut in the 2013 Hindi short film Yaadhon Ki Baraat and Malayalam debut in the 2017 thriller Careful,[5] which came shortly after her appearance in a short film titled Natyam (2016)[6] which released on International Dance Day.[7][8] She is the eldest child of Ramco Industries Chairman P. R. Venkatrama Raja and married Rama Raju, son of the businessman Ramalinga Raju.[9] She founded Nishrinkala Dance Academy to impart her Guru's Kuchipudi to the next generation.[10][11][12] She is the managing director of Sandhya Spinning Mills which is a part of the Ramco Group of Industries.

She made her Telugu film debut with Natyam.[13][14] The film is said to be a romantic drama that revolves around various dance forms.[15]

Kuchipudi

Sandhya Raju has been performing Kuchipudi ever since she was a teenager. Her first performance was a small role in her Guru's Popular Dance Drama Ksheera Saagara Madhanam, which was staged in Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu. She continued to perform small roles in several of Vempati Chinna Satyam’s dance dramas.[16] At the age of 15 Sandhya was selected to play the main role of Lord Krishna in his final Dance Drama Gopika Krishna. Sandhya toured the US with her Guru. Thereafter, Sandhya began her Training under Guru Shri Mosalikanti, who is a senior disciple of Vempati Chinna Satyam himself. Sandhya has performed for Guru Kishore Mosalikanti's ensemble on several occasions and finally debuted as a professional Solo performer at her Rangapravesham in Madras Music Academy, Chennai. Her debut solo was highly appreciated by Ms. Leela Samson and Shri Chidambaram who graced the occasion. Sandhya has performed several solo Kuchipudi acts across India and the globe. Some of her prominent performances being that in Guimet Museum, Paris, International Museum of Vienna and her virtual performance for erasing Borders, NYC and two tours of South Africa. In India she has performed in the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai. Krishna Ghana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha and Music Academy in Chennai. She has performed in her own home town of Rajapalayam for her great grandfather's annual birthday celebrations. Her live performances have been documented on YouTube. She has over 8 million views across her Kuchipudi videos, making her the highest viewed Kuchipudi performer on YouTube. Her most popular videos include her performance of Krishna Shabdam and Muddugare Yashodha.

Filmography
Year Title Role Language Notes Ref.
2012 Devasthanam Dance Teacher Telugu Feature film debut
2013 Yaadhon Ki Baraat Doctor Hindi Short film; credited as Sandhya [17][18]
2014 Junoon Hindi Short film
2016 Untouchable
Natyam Telugu [19]
2017 Careful Rachana Nambiar Malayalam [20]
2021 Natyam Sitara Telugu Lead debut; National Film Award for Best Choreography [21][22]

See also

References
  1. "Telugu audience has to accept me, says dancer Sandhya Raju". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  2. "కూచిపూడి రాణెమ్మ!". ntnews (in Telugu). 18 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  3. Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (13 March 2017). "For a spot of spontaneity". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  4. "Kuchipudi Kalakar: Kishore Mosalikanti". Kuchipudi Kalakar. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  5. "Sandhya Raju – Careful is a perfect debut for me". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  6. "'Natyam' will inspire all women: Sandhya Raju". The Indian Express. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  7. Team, DNA Web (29 April 2016). "International Dance Day: 'Natyam' showcases a woman's love for dance". DNA India. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  8. "Sandhya Raju took Kuchipudi to a world stage with her performance at an Austrian Museum". indulgexpress.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  9. Sridhar, G. Naga. "Ramalinga Raju's kin turns entrepreneur". @businessline. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  10. "Kuchipudi exponent Sandhya Raju raises funds for dance gurus in a novel way". indulgexpress.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  11. India, The Hans (11 June 2020). "For a good cause: Sandhya Raju Raises COVID19 Hardship Fund to Aid Kuchipudi Guru's facing financial adversities". thehansindia.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  12. "In step with pandemic times". Deccan Herald. 27 December 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  13. "Kuchipudi dancer Sandhya Raju's first-look from dance film Natyam - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  14. "Kuchipudi dancer Sandhya Raju's first-look from dance film Natyam - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  15. "Jr NTR launches teaser of Sandhya Raju's 'Natyam'". The News Minute. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  16. Srikanth, Rupa (29 January 2015). "Sophistication at what cost?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  17. Ej, Ejaz. "This 2 Min Award Winning Short Film By Nag Ashwin Tells Us How Matured His Thoughts Are!". Chai Bisket. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  18. Hsu, Wendy F. (20 January 2016), "Red Baraat", Oxford Music Online, Oxford University Press, retrieved 23 February 2021
  19. Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (20 January 2016). "Natyam: A voice through dance". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  20. "Sandhya Raju, Vijay Babu starrer 'Careful's' trailer is here - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  21. "Upasana Unveils The First Look Of Heavenly Natyam". tupaki. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  22. dhiman, anisha (21 January 2016). "From dancer to a YouTube star". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
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