Kuchipudi Dance : A renowned classical dance form originating from the village of Kuchipudi in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It derives its name from the Brahmins who practiced this art in the 2nd century, making it famous throughout South India.
Historically, during the rule of the Satavahanas, Kuchipudi was held in high esteem, with Bharata’s poem mentioning four types of dances, among which Kuchipudi from South India had a prominent position. During the 2nd century, the Satavahanas became great patrons of this art form.
Kuchipudi dance has been dedicated to Vaishnavism for centuries, earning the name “Bhagavata Mela drama.” Inscriptions found at the sacred Andhra Vishnu Temple indicate that around three hundred Devadasis (temple dancers) received royal patronage. The temple’s sculptures also depict mesmerizing dance poses, believed to be offerings to the deities.
Initially, the Kuchipudi dance was performed by male Brahmins, known as Kuchipudi Bhagavatis. However, in the 15th century, Siddendra Yogi introduced female dancers to the art form, bringing about significant changes. As Brahmins settled in Kuchipudi and continued to practice this dance, the town derived its name from it.
Kuchipudi Dance & Traditional Performance
A traditional Kuchipudi performance begins with Dharav, a short musical and dance form, accompanied by Ganesha Stuti, Saraswati Stuti, Lakshmi Stuti, and Parashakti Stotras. Each character enters the stage and introduces themselves through Dharav. The story unfolds thereafter, with a singer performing kirtans in the Carnatic style, accompanied by instruments like mridangam, violin, flute, and tambura.
Kuchipudi dancers excel in portraying Satvika bhava (emotional expressions) and perform intricate footwork, graceful body postures, hand gestures, eye movements, and facial expressions. The dancers adorn themselves with lightweight wooden ornaments called burugu.
While Kuchipudi shares similarities with Bharatanatyam, it possesses its unique dance styles. The repertoire includes single-character dances like Jatiswaram and Tillanas, which express the devotee’s longing to merge with the divine. Kuchipudi draws inspiration from classical texts such as Abhinaya Darpana and Nandikeswara Bharatarjavala and is divided into Nattuva Mala and Natya Mala.
Nattuva Mala encompasses two types of dances: Pooja dance performed in temple sanctuaries and Kalika dance performed in Kalyana Mandapams. Natya Mala represents three traditional dance forms: Kalika dance for intellectuals, familiar dance following the Bhagavatam Anu type, and Natya Mala, the foundation of Kuchipudi, featuring male groups performing female roles, including Krishna’s portrayal through the three waves called Tarangini.
Bhamakalapam is another notable aspect of Kuchipudi, depicting the roles of Satyabhama and Lord Krishna. Satyabhama’s character showcases the various facets of love, expressing her longing for Krishna when they are apart and reminiscing about their happy moments together. The story concludes happily when both sides send ambassadors to unite Krishna and Satyabhama.
In Krishna Shabad, a gopika invites Krishna to meet her, showcasing the gestures of a woman trying to impress a man. These elements contribute to the rich tapestry of Kuchipudi, an art form that mesmerizes audiences with its intricate movements, expressions, and storytelling.
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