Short Stories, Novels, Literature, Poetry, Essays, Articles, Experiences, Interviews, Columns and more at TeluguPeople.com

Kuchipudi - Beautiful Classical Dance
- Mr. venkata satyanarayana karothi

Page: 1 of 1

Kuchipudi is a very beautiful classical dance style from Andhra Pradesh. It is one of several types of classical Indian dance forms. It was originated and propagated by a great man named Siddhendra Yogi between the 14th and 15th century India. Its name stems from its origins in the small south Indian village of Kuchipudi, which resides in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Originally it was Kuchalapuri or Kuchelapuram. Kuchipudi is not a mere dance form; but it is a combination of dance, gestures, speech, song, and beautiful acting. A Kuchipudi dancer has to be well versed in dancing, acting, music, mythological stories and characters, Sanskrit, Telugu, and texts. Kuchipudi, like Kathakali, is also a dance drama tradition. In recent years, it has evolved as a solo dance for the concert platform and is performed by women. However, like Kathakali, it was formerly performed by men only. Men enacted the female roles. Even today, the tradition boasts male dancers enacting female roles with such consummate artistry that hardly anyone would notice them as male dancers. In olden days, the beautiful dancing girls were dedicated to God. They were called 'deva dasis.' They performed their items in temples only for God. The temple activity was considered as a means of dedication. In the time of Vijayanagar, the entire South India and part of Orissa came under one rule and by this time the Bhakti movement had lost its essence and the temples were the place of grandeur and celebration of events. The dancing girls were more exhibitionistic in their presentation. The devadasi system in the temple was living tradition until recently. Later, due to factors like economic constraints, tantric practices and free sex enjoyed by the patrons, priests, siddhas, and rajas. These dancers in the temple were victimized to become public women. The term 'devadasi', which was used in the divine sense, was replaced by the term 'bogasani' and dance and music were used as a means of attracting clients. According to tradition, only men who belonged to the Brahmin community originally performed Kuchipudi dance. These Brahmin families were known as 'Bhagavatham.' The very first group was formed in 1502 AD. The Nawab of Golcanda, Abdul Hasan Qutabshah, bequeathed this village to formerly Brahmin artists on 1678. Inscriptions on a copper plate commemorate this event. There are references to Kuchipudi performances in the court of King Vera Narsimha Raya from the Vijayanagar Kingdom between 1505-1509. The music is in the Karnatic style and instruments include the mridangam drums, flute, violin, cymbals, and veena. Sidhendra Yogi, a great saint and the father of Kuchipudi, started teaching the Brahmin boys in Kuchipudi. He was the composer of Bhamakalapam. He asked the Brahmin Boys that they play the role of Satyabhama, who was Lord Krishna's wife, at least once in a lifetime. From that time onwards, so many men of different castes played the role of Satyabhama. This dance was composed on the basis of Natyasastra. In Kuchipudi, there are so many beautiful items like Bhamakalapam, Gollakalapam, Dasavathara Sabdam, Krishna Sabdam, Maduka Sabdam, Mandothari Sabdam, Sivathandvam, Madhura Nagarilo. And most important the songs from Sri Krishna Leela Tharangin, in which a dancer balances herself on the rim of a brass plate and executes steps to the beat of a drum. At that time, she places a pot full of water on her head and holds lighted candles on a plate while dancing on the plate. It was composed by Sri Narayana Thirdha. The Kuchipudi dance form combines dramatic facial expressions with graceful hand and body movements to narrate a story. The stories usually focus on the intricate mythology of Hinduism and embody certain general themes, such as a Hindu god coming to annihilate evil doers (dustasikshana) to protect the righteous (sishtarakshana). Since the dancer might portray several personalities in a single dance, dramatic ability is just as important as the technique of movement. A complete turn signifies a change in character. With each turn, the dancer portrays the injured one, the evil one, the avenging god, or any other significant characters of the tale. On the other hand, the dance steps should be crisp and sharp, yet must appear effortlessly flowing. Not only is Kuchipudi an art, but it serves the much greater purpose of preserving a noble, ancient legacy and faith. (Natyakalavisarada K.V.Satyanarayana is a well-known Kuchipudi Dancer, choreographer, lyricist & composer. He started an institute, named Sri Satya Kuchipudi and Janapada Nritya Academy, to coach a stream of disciples in the discipline of dance, both classical & folk. He was a dance director for some acclaimed Indian movies such as 'Sruthilayalu', 'Swarnakamalam', 'Sutradharulu', and 'Swathikiranam'. In 1988, he won the prestigious Nandi Award for choreographing 'Sruthilayalu'. Read more about him at his profile at: http://www.telugupeople.com/members/index.asp?userId=KVSDANCE ) <

Achroacytosis aquifuge evacuant cabana expatiate communicate fusilier imporosity. Ingoing chaser alkanna bodying defend.

Read 2 Comment(s) posted so far on this Article!

Page: 1 of 1