KUCHIPUDI

Kuchipudi is one of the most vibrant classical styles of Indian dance from the Telugu
region. Kuchipudi is the name of a village (also known as Kuchelapuram) in the
Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. There was a very
long rich tradition of dance-drama that existed in these regions, called
‘Yakshagaana’. According to the legend, a talented Vaishnava poet, Sri Siddhendra
Yogi was the architect behind the Kuchipudi dance drama tradition.

Siddhendra Yogi composed the ‘Bhama Kalapam’ which is still considered
as the piece-de-resistance of Kuchipudi repertoire.

Its aesthetic appeal was so great that the then Nawab of Golconda, Abul Hasan Tanishah issued a copper plate in the year 1675 A.D., granting the village Kuchipudi to the families of
the Brahmins who pursued this art form.

Sri Vedantam Lakshminarayana Shastry not only introduced the Kuchipudi solo dance format, but also started to train female dancers.

Kuchipudi was popularised by a few other traditional Gurus, popular among them is
Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam whose Chennai based ‘Kuchipudi Art Academy’

The basic stance is the Ardhamandali.

Repertoire:
Kuchipudi solo dance repertoire includes the following items:
Invocatory item (Ganesha Vandana), Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Kalaapam (mostly the
Bhaama Kalapam), Thyagaraja Kritis, Annamacharya Keertanas,
Padam, Jaavali, Ashtapadi, Shlokam, Thillana etc. The Tarangam is an important item
that is performed in a recital where the dancer also stands on the edges of a brass
plate executing complicated rhythmic patterns with dexterity while also balancing a
pot of water on the head.
Music and Accompaniments:
Classical Carnatic music forms the base for this style of dance. Besides the vocalist,
there is a chief conductor - the Sutradhar or Nattuvanar - who plays the cymbals
(nattuvangam), recites the sollukattus (mnemonic syllables) and also occasionally
sings. The other musicians include a Mridangist, a Violinist and a Veena player
and/or a Flutist.
Costume:

Make-up is done to highlight the facial features. In the solo form, the sari
wrapped/stitched traditionally with a gochi. The hair-do is elaborate with a
decorated plait, flower garlands around the Raagadi, chutti and Surya-Chandra on
the head, Jhimikilu and Maatilu worn on the ears, Haaram worn around the neck,
Voddiyanam worn around the waist, bangles on the wrist and the Gajjalu (bells) on
the feet.
Texts:
The books followed are Abhinaya Darpana, Natya Shastra, Nritta Ratnavali.