Anji Babu

🪔 About

Anju Babu, a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, is renowned for his significant contributions to Kathak, particularly in South India. His journey in dance began in 1967 when he enrolled in the Government Music and Dance College in Ramkoti, where he completed a five-year diploma in Kathak under the tutelage of Pandit Ramakrishna Shukla and Pandit Vittal Rao. Following this, he was selected by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for advanced training at Kathak Kendra in Delhi, where he honed his skills for four years under the guidance of Sukhdev Maharaj. Despite advice to establish his career in Delhi, Anju Babu returned to his hometown, Hyderabad, with a strong desire to promote Kathak. In 1982, he founded Kathak Kala Kshetra in Hyderabad, establishing one of the first institutes to teach Kathak in South India. He played a pivotal role in popularizing Kathak across erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, undeterred by the perception of it being a Northern art form. Anju Babu is credited with developing and teaching the "Deccani Style of Kathak," a unique style he has been imparting for over two decades, drawing inspiration from the Deccani Gharana that existed during the Qutb Shahi period. Beyond teaching and performing, Anju Babu is a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO and was instrumental in initiating World Dance Day celebrations in Hyderabad. He has also authored the book "Kathak Nritya Vikasam" in Telugu. His academy, Kathak Kala Kshetra, had 40 students as of 2019, with his disciples spread globally.