Grace personified

When Kuchipudi danseuse Preethi Tatambhotla swayed to the rhythms of music during her maiden performance in Coimbatore, she had the audience eating out of her hands. “Though there wasn’t any stark difference from my regular concerts, the fact I was doing something for a cause, that too for the first time, made it special,” says the Hyderabad-based danseuse.
Tamil Nadu might be the hub for Bharathanatyam, but Preethi maintains that people here appreciate Kuchipudi performances as well. “Of late, a majority of the dance enthusiasts has started showing interest in all dance forms. I have been performing across the country and I have been observing the change. The only difference I notice when I perform in Andhra Pradesh and other states is that back home, the audience understands the lyrics. That doesn’t mean that people in Bengaluru or Puri do not enjoy the performances. In fact, after the performance in Coimbatore, a lot of people came back stage and lauded by work. That was quite encouraging,” says Preethi.
What started as hobby for young Preethi, became a passion when she met the doyen of Kuchipudi Padmasri Sobha Naidu. “Though my music journey started when I was in the fourth grade, it was only after I associated with her that my hobby turned into a passion. She is my role model,” says Preethi. Preethi also has a unique record of participating in the World’s largest Kuchipudi performance. “This was one of the largest Kuchipudi conventions last December in which 5,000 Kuchipudi dancers performed under one roof at the same time. It was a unique experience.”
Her future plans include doing masters in the dance form. “That means I need to take a two-year break from work and my performances. Since I am an analyst at a private concern now, the plan has been temporarily put in the back burner. I am only thinking of my impending shows in October and December this year in Hyderabad.”