Background
This famous classical form originated in the
Kuchelapuri (modern Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh),
as a dance drama with religious themes. Traditionally,
Kuchipudi dance was performed solely
by men hailing from the Brahmin community. Such
families were known popularly as
Bhagavathulu
of Kuchipudi.
Basic features
The movements in
Kuchipudi are quicksilver
and scintillating, rounded and fleet-footed.
Invariably accompanied by Carnatic music, it
shares many features with
Bharata Natyam.
In its solo exposition Kuchipudi
nritta
numbers include
jatiswaram and
tillana
whereas in
nritya it has several lyrical
compositions reflecting a devotee’s yearning
to merge with God – symbolizing the union
of the soul with the Supreme Spirit.
The songs are melodious and the facial expressions,
with the swift looks and fleeting emotions
evoking the various rasas. A special
number in the Kuchipudi style of
dancing is called tarangam, in which
a female dancer balances herself on the rim
of a brass plate and executes steps to the
beat of a drum. At other times, she dexterously
places a pitcher of water on her head and
dances nimbly on the brass plate.
The song accompanying this number is a verse,
recounting the life and activities of Lord
Krishna. A highly popular presentation is
the Krishna Shabdam, in which a milkmaid
invites Krishna for a rendezvous, giving the
danseuse full scope for displaying her feminine
and physical charms through the medium of
dance.
