Eminent Kuchipudi exponent and Padmasri award winner Shobha Naidu passed away today.
She was 64.
Naidu had reportedly been suffering from a neurological illness, and had been undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Hyderabad for the past four days.
Born in Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh in 1956, Naidu trained under the legendary Vempati Chinna Satyam, and started standing out at a young age.
Her dance-dramas were known for elaborate production standards and visual grandeur.
Many of the top names of the art world have been expressing grief at the demise. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao also mourned the death of the dancer and teacher, saying that Naidu was an outstanding exponent of the Kuchipudi dance form and was especially known for depicting the roles of Satyabhama and Padmavathi. He conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.