SherleneGirardi at 17:19, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T17:19:34Z

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{{Short description|Indian Gussadi dancer (1940/1941–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kanaka Raju
| image = Gussadi Kanakaraju.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Kanaka Raju wearing traditional clothing and a turban, looking directly at camera
| caption = Raju in 2021
| birth_date = 1940/1941
| birth_place = Marlavai, [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|India]]
| death_date = {{death date and given age|df=y|2024|10|25|83}}
| death_place = Marlavai, [[Komaram Bheem Asifabad district]], Telangana, India
| death_cause =
| education =
| occupation = [[Gussadi]] dancer
| employer =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]], 2021
}}

'''Kanaka Raju''' (1940/1941 – 25 October 2024) was an Indian [[Gussadi dance]]r. In 2021, he received the [[Padma Shri]] award from the Indian government for his contribution to the arts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |first=Ch Sushil |last=Rao|title=Kanakaraju: Telangana: Padma Shri winner Kanaka Raju is now chief dance master for tribal folk art school |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-padma-shri-winner-kanaka-raju-is-now-chief-dance-master-for-tribal-folk-art-school/articleshow/90663668.cms |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=Telangana's Padma Shri awardee can barely eke out a living as a cook |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/telanganas-padma-shri-awardee-can-barely-eke-out-a-living-as-a-cook-101611650182113.html |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Background==
Raju was from Marlavai village, [[Jainoor]], in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2021 |title=Meet Padma Shri winner Kanaka Raju who preserves the Gusadi dance tradition |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/meet-padma-shri-winner-kanaka-raju-who-preserves-gusadi-dance-tradition-143850 |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=The News Minute}}</ref> He died on 25 October 2024, at the age of 83.<ref>[https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/gussadi-maestro-kanaka-raju-passes-away-at-83-1833125 Gussadi maestro Kanaka Raju passes away at 83]</ref>

==Career==
Raju has been teaching [[Gussadi dance]] for more than forty years. In 1981, he performed in the Republic Day parade.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{Cite web |title=Padma Shrifor Telangana artiste Kanaka Raju – The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/telangana/2021/jan/26/padma-shrifor-telangana-artiste-kanaka-raju-2255045.html |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref> He was chief dance master of Kanaka Raju School of Gusadi dance.<ref name=":0" />

==Death==
Raju died due to age-related issues on 25 October 2024, at the age of 84.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gussadi dance maestro Kanaka Raju passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/gussadi-dance-maestro-kanaka-raju-passes-away/article68797717.ece |access-date=29 October 2024 |date=26 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=The Times of India |title=Gussadi dance exponent Kanaka Raju passes away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/tribute-to-gussadi-dance-legend-kanaka-raju-a-cultural-icon-passes-away/articleshow/114596702.cms |access-date=29 October 2024 |date=25 October 2024}}</ref> He is survived by his wife, eight daughters, and four sons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Telangana Today |first1= |title=Funeral of Padma Shri awardee Kanaka Raju held with State honors in Asifabad |url=https://telanganatoday.com/funeral-of-padma-shri-awardee-kanaka-raju-held-with-state-honors-in-asifabad |access-date=29 October 2024 |date=26 October 2024}}</ref>

==Awards==
* [[Padma Shri]] in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2021 |title=Kanaka Raju, a true ambassador of Ghusadi dance form |url=https://telanganatoday.com/kanaka-raju-a-true-ambassador-of-gussadi-dance-form |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Telangana Today}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raju, Kanaka}}
[[Category:1940s births]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian dancers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]

Kanaka Raju - Revision history

SherleneGirardi at 17:19, 14 March 2026