Kuchipudi (Telugu: కూచిపూడి) is a Classical Indian dance from Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also popular all over South India. Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal and with resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form, it acquired the present name.
The performance usually begins with some stage rites, after which each of the character comes on to the stage and introduces him/herself with a dharavu (a small composition of both song and dance) to introduce the identity, set the mood, of the character in the drama. The drama then begins. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by mridangam (a classical South Indian percussion instrument), violin, flute and the tambura (a drone instrument with strings which are plucked). Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a lightweight wood called Boorugu. It originated in the seventh century.
Kuchipudi is one such unique form of Art which is the tasteful blend of grace and vigour, elevation and sensuality, of control and abandon. With its roots buried in the soil of Andhra Pradesh in India, Kuchipudi was born in a remote Village from which it derived its name. In the early days, the Kuchipudi style of dance was in the form of dance dramas, the main purpose being to inculcate divine ecstasy which invokes immortal bliss and brings one closer to the path of salvation .It is strictly classical in nature incorporating Lasya, Thandava andAbinaya in the interpretation of Slokas. It incorporates Samyutha and Asamyutha Hasthas, Karana, Chari, Angahara, Mandala, Nrutha Hasthas etc. All mentioned in the NatyaSasthra. Kuchipudi dance is the only dance form where all the four Abhinayas (Angika, Vachika, Aaharya and Satvica) are given equal importance. The use of Vachikabhinayam is a special feature in the Kuchipudi dance style. The Dancer not only merely dances but also acts with gestures as well as words. It takes atleast ten years for an ordinary dancer to master this art and be able to express Bhava through eyes and Rhythm through foot work.There were two parallel schools of dance, Nattuva Mela and Natya Mela. Nattuva Mela developed into Bharathanatyam (performing solo items) and Natya Mela into the Kuchipudidance in dance drama style. Nattuva mela is basically solo dance performed by women and the nattuvangam is generally done by men. The repertoire of this style of dance consists of both erotic and devotional items, Sringara and Bhakti. This is the form of dance that both the temple dancers and the court dancers used to perform, with God or king as the hero, as the case may be. The second style of dance is Natya mela which is generally performed by both men and women. Their repertoire consists of dance dramas with themes, not necessarily religious, to entertain the audience. This later form of dance is believed to be the forerunner of the present day Kuchipudi dance.
Sidhendra Yogi, an exceptionally gifted scholar and artiste, who lived in the 16th century gave a definite format and purified this ancient art. Sidhendra abstained from training women fearing that they might exaggerate the sentiments expressed and dispel it of its spiritual tone. Kuchipudi became an all male domain. The female roles were also impersonated by men.All the families residing in Kuchipudi were devoted to either in teaching on performing this austere dance style. Dance was their one and only source of living. Kuchipudi remained confined to the narrow limits of an obscure village with little exposure.
The performance usually begins with some stage rites, after which each of the character comes on to the stage and introduces him/herself with a dharavu (a small composition of both song and dance) to introduce the identity, set the mood, of the character in the drama. The drama then begins. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by mridangam (a classical South Indian percussion instrument), violin, flute and the tambura (a drone instrument with strings which are plucked). Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a lightweight wood called Boorugu. It originated in the seventh century.
Kuchipudi is one such unique form of Art which is the tasteful blend of grace and vigour, elevation and sensuality, of control and abandon. With its roots buried in the soil of Andhra Pradesh in India, Kuchipudi was born in a remote Village from which it derived its name. In the early days, the Kuchipudi style of dance was in the form of dance dramas, the main purpose being to inculcate divine ecstasy which invokes immortal bliss and brings one closer to the path of salvation .It is strictly classical in nature incorporating Lasya, Thandava andAbinaya in the interpretation of Slokas. It incorporates Samyutha and Asamyutha Hasthas, Karana, Chari, Angahara, Mandala, Nrutha Hasthas etc. All mentioned in the NatyaSasthra. Kuchipudi dance is the only dance form where all the four Abhinayas (Angika, Vachika, Aaharya and Satvica) are given equal importance. The use of Vachikabhinayam is a special feature in the Kuchipudi dance style. The Dancer not only merely dances but also acts with gestures as well as words. It takes atleast ten years for an ordinary dancer to master this art and be able to express Bhava through eyes and Rhythm through foot work.There were two parallel schools of dance, Nattuva Mela and Natya Mela. Nattuva Mela developed into Bharathanatyam (performing solo items) and Natya Mela into the Kuchipudidance in dance drama style. Nattuva mela is basically solo dance performed by women and the nattuvangam is generally done by men. The repertoire of this style of dance consists of both erotic and devotional items, Sringara and Bhakti. This is the form of dance that both the temple dancers and the court dancers used to perform, with God or king as the hero, as the case may be. The second style of dance is Natya mela which is generally performed by both men and women. Their repertoire consists of dance dramas with themes, not necessarily religious, to entertain the audience. This later form of dance is believed to be the forerunner of the present day Kuchipudi dance.
