Tearful Adieu To Navarasa Natya Kalanidhi - Shobha Naidu

Tearful adieu to Navarasa Natya Kalanidhi - Shobha Naidu

Renowned Kuchipudi dancer and Padma Shri awardee Shobha Naidu passed away in the early hours of Wednesday. She was a disciple of the legendary guru Vempati China Satyam and had started giving stage performance at a very young age. Shoba was born in 1956 at Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district. Undoubtedly, she was one of the prominent exponents of Kuchipudi dance in India. She is particularly remembered for mastering the program Bhama Kalapam, wherein she played the role of Satyabhama, wife of Lord Krishna.

Naidu did extensive stage performances throughout India and around the world. She has done quite a good number of performances, especially in the US, UK, Dubai, Turley, Hongkong, Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba. She has also choreographed many stage performances. Recognizing her services to the art form, she was awarded the civilian honor of Padma Shri in 2001. She was also awarded awards, like Navarasa Natya Kalanidhi, Nritya Choodamani, and Sangeet Natak Akademi award. She served as the principal of Kuchipudi art Academy and trained around 1,500 students both in India and abroad.