Dr. CHIGICHERLA KRISHNA REDDY
Retired Professor, Head of the Department of Folk arts & Dean -Fine arts of Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University
Award-winning folk arts academician, performer, and administrator with 40 years of experience in folk arts teaching, performance and administration.
Conferred with titles “Janapada Kalaratna” & “Janapada Nritya chakravarthy”
Conferred with YSR Lifetime Achievement Award-2023
Highlights & Special Achievements
Attained the distinction of being the only professor in folk arts in the country to have supervised, guided & awarded a record number of 35 Ph.D degrees and 66 M.Phil. degrees at Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad.
Attained a distinction in presenting first-ever Ph.D in folk performing arts in both Telugu
states.
Bestowed with a unique skill of performing 20 different forms of folk arts and the only
teacher in the country who can perform and teach them.
Authored 15 books and edited 3 books on folk arts and folk culture, along with publishing numerous research articles.
Conferred with titles "JANAPADA KALARATNA" & "JANAPADA NRITYA
CHAKRAVARTHY".
Marking his exemplary achievements in the field of folk arts, the government of Andhra Pradesh has conferred the YSR-LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in the year 2023.
In 2024, the Prestigious Kalavedika Organisation conferred the NTR Special Jury Award and Vamshi Arts Theatres conferred the Ugadhi Kamadhenu Puraskar.
Achieved a Rare feat by performing 14 folk dance forms in a single performance at
Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.
Devised a strategy to save traditional folk forms by starting an association named
Janapada Yuva Kalakarula Sangham to give recognition and employment to folk artists.
Mentored & Trained folk artists for the Republic Day parade and was applauded by the then
Prime Minister late Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Garu in 2001.
Spearheaded numerous lectures across the country on Folk Arts and conducted many
seminars & workshops on folk arts.
Pioneered the documentation and teaching of many extinct folk art forms.
Spearheaded various workshops and seminars to teach and train the younger generation on
folk art forms to continue the legacy for future generations.
Orchestrated and successfully performed over 2000 stage performances across the country.
Two Ph.D scholars from S.V.University Tirupathi, Palamuru University Mahabubnagar, are writing Ph.D thesis on his work in the field of folk arts.
Identified the need for development of folk performing arts and took various steps to develop and revive the extinct folk arts.
Recipient of Many Awards from various renowned Government & Non-Government organisations.
Took the initiative to provide financial support to many poor folk artists and provided
financial aid / groceries to numerous artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Career
Joined as Assistant Professor in the Department of Folk Arts, Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad in May 1987 and Retired as Dean in July 2014.
Worked as a Lecturer in Sri Y.S.R.R.Degree College Pulivendula, Kadapa, from August 1981 to May 1987.
Authored 15 books and edited 3 books on folk arts and folk culture, along with publishing numerous research articles.
Devised a strategy to save traditional folk forms by starting an association named
Janapada Yuva Kalakarula Sangham to give recognition and employment to folk artists.
Early Life
Pursued M.Phil in Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Anantapur in 1983 on “Dharmavaram taluka janapada geyalu”.
Pursued Master of Arts in telugu at Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Anantapur in 1980
Pursued Bachelor of arts in telugu, Political Sciences and History at Government Arts College,
Anantapur in 1978
Anantapur in 1978
Completed schooling in government high school (1972)
and intermediate at government junior college, Dharmavaram, Anantapur district (1974)
and intermediate at government junior college, Dharmavaram, Anantapur district (1974)
Pursued Ph.D in Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Anantapur in 1986 on “Janapada Nrityakala”, which is considered first ever Ph.D in Telugu states on folk performing arts.
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