Yamini Reddy
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Reddy and an ensemble of 25 dancers and a live orchestra will present Surya – Tvam Surya Pranamamyaham in Hyderabad this weekend. The performance will trace the emergence of light through Kuchipudi.
“Surya is my first presentation in the city, under the Natya Tarangini Hyderabad banner, and a heartfelt offering to the Hyderabad audience. We journey into that powerful moment when consciousness first opens its eyes to light,” says Yamini Reddy.
The dancer had planned to showcase Surya in Hyderabad after its premiere in Delhi in 2018 but had to put it on hold due to the pandemic. “Many had asked me about our original production and I realised we have not presented it here.”
Yamini Reddy
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Yamini had once read an article on creation and wondered if it came about after the first light fell on Earth. Her research led her to Nasadiya Sukta, 129th hymn of the 10th mandala of Rig Veda that talks about cosmology and origin of the universe. Drawing inspiration from the Sukta, the production traces the cosmic emergence of Surya, the Sun, as the primal force that brings light, order, and life to the Universe.
How life began
The dance depicts the birth of Surya and how nine planets — the Navagrahas — are formed and revolve around the Sun. The 60-minute production showcases the evolutionary history and the interconnectedness of life. “The first ray of light fell on Earth and might have begun the evolution of life and creation followed by the other beings of the world — plants, aquatic animals, living creatures on the land and birds coming into existence. If the Sun is the Paramatma, all beings on Earth are connected to that supreme soul.”
Highlighting Nature
An ensemble of dancers of Yamin Reddy Repertory during a performance
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Kuchipudi productions and ballets focus on themes around gods and goddesses but Yamini has tried to delve into Nature and the philosophical side of the Universe. While the dance is classical, the treatment and presentation has a few contemporary elements to make Nature take centrestage. This, Yamini explains, is to send a message on the importance of maintaining balance in Nature.
The production concludes with an ode to Surya including a comparison on the Surya Namaskaram in yoga and in dance.
Yamini Reddy during a performance
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
From managing tech and light departments and a team of musicians headed by Kolanki Sai Kumar and P. Vidyasagar playing live music to handling the choreography of an ensemble of 25 dancers, Yamini admits it is a big undertaking. With four major segments — from the creation and Navagrahas to Prakruti and the conclusion, the choreography enriches the narrative. Conceptualised and co-choreographed by Yamini, the presentation, which is a part of Kalaarchana series, also has choreography by Padma Bhushan awardees Raja and Radha Reddy, with artistic direction by Kaushalya Reddy. “It was like a jamming session where everybody is putting their minds together. It is hard to segregate roles as each one of us contributed to it.”
Surya – Tvam Surya Pranamamyaham by Yamini Reddy Repertory is at Shilpa Kala Vedika on December 20; Tickets: Bookmyshow
Published – December 17, 2025 04:41 pm IST
