KUCHIPUDI DANCE

Kuchipudi is one of the well-known Classical Indian Dance form from Andhra Pradesh, India. The name Kuchipudi has origin from the name of a village “KUCHELAPURAM” with resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form at Andhra pradesh.

Kuchipudi born from “BHAGAVATMELA” (a dance drama format) tradition which used to perform by the telegu Brahmins who lives in kuchelapuram. “Siddhendra yogi” (a great scholar and poet) who revolute kuchipudi from Bhagavatmela tradition.

During 1960 kuchipudi started performing as a solo dance form on stage.

The movements in Kuchipudi are comparatively faster than other Indian classical dance form and scintillating, rounded and fleet-footed. Performed not only in classical Carnatic music but also Hindustani classical music, it shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam. solo Kuchipudi numbers include “Puja”, ‘jatiswaram’, “Shabdam”, “Tarangam” ,”Keertanam” and ’tillana’. Abhinaya in kuchipudi is very unique and its Lokadharmi.

Taranagam is the main unique piece of kuchpudi repertoire, also known as plate (made by brass) dance.

In that the dancer must dance upon a brass plate, placing the feet upon the raised edges. Tarangam is set to mostly Lord Krishna’s glory with plate movements which is set to complicated taala pattern. Taala can be set in different gatis and jatis, most interesting part of a tarangam is; dancer reaply to mridangist chollu what he is playing in mridangam through plate movements. Tarangam carries a major uniqueness for this art form.

The song accompanying this number is from the well known “Krishna Leela Tarangini”, a text which recounts the life and events of Lord Krishna which is written by great telegu poet “Narayana Theertha”.

Most of the Karanas are often used in Kuchipudi dance. Apart from six padabhedas, Kuchipudi dancers also use some adugulu or adavus traditional to this school: Chaukam, Katteranatu, Kuppi Adugu, Ontaduvu,Jaraduvu, Pakkanatu. Kuchipudi based on totally Natya sastra (Sanskrit text).

INSTRUMENTS USE IN KUCHIPUDI DANCE
Mridangam, Violin, Veena, Flute and Talam (Nattuvangam/ cymbals)