When Bhavana Reddy talks about the experiences of her show, one is bound to ask, “Which show, dance or music?” Bhavana smiles when we do so. Considering that she is the younger daughter of renowned Kuchipudi dancers Raja Radha Reddy and Kausalya, dance was a natural choice. But Bhavana is a different breed of artiste who is passionate about both Kuchipudi and western music. Growing up in Delhi, Bhavana was like any other teenager wanting to create her own individuality. With a strict mother who wanted her to never miss out on school or rehearsals, Bhavana says she was rebellious. “I would often tell mother, ‘I don’t think it is wrong, why shouldn’t I do it?’ Our arguments would be about my singing western music in the bathroom and my mother would tell me that there are students in the class learning Indian dance. I would reply back saying, ‘this is my house. Why would I not sing’,” she recalls with a laugh. With a sister (Yamini Reddy) more into books, Bhavana’s love was music and pursued her dreams.
Looking back on her performances since childhood, she observes, “As a kid I loved being on stage. Now I have become shy,” she smiles as she drapes an yellow stole around her shoulders.
She released her first solo EP titled Tangled in Emotions and sang for Hollywood movie Joy Ride 3 . “The album has been launched in the US but has had no proper launch in India. I am hoping to do it this year,” she states.
The lyrics of her songs are usually sad. “I am incapable of writing a happy song,” smiles Bhavana. She feels, “Sorrow and pain are emotions with depth and when you voice lines with these emotions, it feels real. There’s so much beauty when you express it.”
Bhavana says she is able to understand others’ point of view because she is a sensitive person. “I have felt deceived and misunderstood. It takes greater courage to admit that one is hurt,” she adds.
Talking about the differences between a western and an Indian artiste, she says, “Western musicians have an edge as they have a lot of exposure. There is a lot of freedom for artistes there but here one faces criticism for experimenting. Having said that, it is also important to acknowledge that one needs to go through a lot of training here which is good as one blossoms into an artiste with his/her own style,” she observes.
She is working on new songs and is working with Bruce Witkin, a friend of actor Johnny Depp. “In the US they ask me, ‘There are two billion people in India and when is your launch?” she says, with a smile.
Finally we ask if she has any favourite between Kuchipudi and western music? “I will be happy when I get to do both. I can’t leave one for the other; then there will be a void in my life,”
As her sister Yamini Reddy comes in and says a brief hi, Bhavana recalls, “When I told my parents that I wanted to study western classical music, they were apprehensive for a long time. But two days ago, my dad told me, ‘ beta , what potential you have. I am happy that you pursued your dreams.’ When the family supports you, it means a lot.”
