Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a traditional Indian classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh. It’s known for its expressive storytelling, through a combination of rhythmic footwork, sign language, and dramatic gestures. This art form is deeply rooted in religious and cultural narratives, revolving around tales from the Bhagavata Purana. Both men and women perform Kuchipudi, traditionally accompanied by Carnatic music, showcasing both Lasya (graceful) and Tandava (vigorous) elements. In this article, you will know all the information about Kuchipudi such as what is Kuchipudi? Key features, how its performed, and key Influential Figures in Kuchipudi, all of which are important for GS Paper-1 Art & Culture of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• What is Kuchipudi?
• Key Features of Kuchipudi Dance
• Influential Figures in Kuchipudi
• Conclusion
• FAQs on Kuchipudi Dance

What is Kuchipudi?

• Kuchipudi is named after a small hamlet, Kuchelapuram (Kusselavapuri), located in Andhra Pradesh state of India.
  • Andhra Pradesh has a longstanding tradition of Yakshagaana, a type of dance-drama, which was the precursor to the Kuchipudi style.
• The dance form was initially performed by actors who formed groups, known as Kusselavas, and travelled from one village to another showcasing their skills.
• Tales from Bhagavat Purana started to form the primary narratives of these performances, and the performers were referred to as Bhagavathalus.
• Under the reign of the Vijayanagara and Golconda kings, Kuchipudi flourished extensively.
• Both men and women perform Kuchipudi.
  • With Vaishnavism gaining prominence, Kuchipudi performances began to be dominated by male Brahmins, often at temple premises.

Key features of Kuchipudi Dance

• Kuchipudi folk dance is known for intricate footwork and is typically performed in groups.
• It is expressed through a sign language that follows the classical pan-Indian Sanskrit texts such as Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana and Nrityararnavali.
• The main composition of this dance includes Jaidev’s Ashthapadi, the Ramayana, the Puranas and Tyagaraja’s compositions.
• Recitals mainly revolve around Bhagavata Purana stories but also touch upon secular themes.
• Shringara ras (romance) is a dominant element in these narratives.
• Each leading character in the performance makes an introductory appearance with a ‘daaru‘ – a mix of song and dance designed specifically for character revelation.
• The three vital aspects of classical dances, Nritta (pure dance), Natya (drama), and Nritya (expressive dance), are integral to Kuchipudi.
• Kuchipudi has resemblances to Bharatnatyam, although it retains its unique features.
  • The two related dance styles, Nattuva Mela and Natya Mela, evolved into Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi respectively.
• Kuchipudi has several regional banis (styles).
  • This openness is traceable to early times in Kuchipudi as the Margi and Desi styles in the text Nrittaratnavali of Jaya Senapati
• A typical Kuchipudi performance consists of:
  • Sollakath or Patakshara: This forms the Nritta aspect where bodily movements are emphasized.
  • Kavutvams: The Nritya aspect, marked by substantial acrobatic feats. This part can also be performed as Nritta.
• The dance style of Kuchipudi captures the essence of earthly elements embodied in human form.
• In Kuchipudi, a dancer may also assume the role of a singer, transforming the performance into a dance-drama.
• The Kuchipudi dance form appreciates both the Lasya (graceful) and Tandava (vigorous) elements.
• Solo performances are as popular as group performances in Kuchipudi. Some of the famous solo items include:
  • Manduk Shabdam: Depicts the story of a frog.
  • Tarangam: Involves the dancer balancing on a brass plate’s edges while carrying a pot of water or a set of diyas on their head.
  • Jala Chitra Nrityam: The dancer sketches images on the floor with their toes while dancing.
• Kuchipudi is traditionally performed to Carnatic music with the Violin and Mridangam being the primary instruments. The language of the recital is Telugu.

Costume

• Dancers typically have minimal makeup and decorative accessories, including the Rakudi (a headpiece), Chandra Vanki (an armlet), Adda Bhasa, Kasina Sara (a necklace), and light decorations crafted from a lightweight wood called Boorugu.
• The costume includes a specially arranged saree with a front fan-shaped cloth and a stitched Pallu (saree’s part draped over the shoulder) at the back.
• Dancers adorn their feet with Ghungroos, bell-like ornaments that sync sound with the dancer’s footwork.

Influential Figures in Kuchipudi

• Siddhendra Yogi, a renowned figure in the 17^th century, played a significant role in establishing the traditional norms of this dance form.
  • He formulated the Kuchipudi style of Yakshagaana and penned various scripts like ‘Bhama Kalapam’, which laid the foundation of this unique dance style.
• Kuchipudi remained largely undiscovered until the 20^th century, when it was resurrected and brought to the limelight by Balasaraswati and Ragini Devi.
• In the early part of the 20^th century, Lakshminarayan Sastri pioneered innovative practices like solo performances and introduced female performers into this domain.
• Some of the other prominent practitioners of this dance form are Radha Reddy and Raja Reddy, Yamini Krishnamurthy, and Indrani Rahman etc.

Conclusion

Kuchipudi, a traditional dance form originating from the Andhra Pradesh state of India, is renowned for its footwork, expressive narratives, and distinct dress code. The Kuchipudi dress and dance costume, predominantly a specially arranged saree with unique accessories, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the performances. However, to preserve this invaluable art form, Indian government should initiate programs encouraging its practice and awareness of its significance.

Ref: Source-1

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