Kuchipudi
An Indian Dance form
Kuchipudi is the dance drama of Andhra Pradesh. It is the corresponding style of the Bhagavata Mela Nataka or Tamil Nadu. Except that the emphasis is on the animation, the grammer is derived from the Natya Shastra and in all other aspects it is akin Bharata Natyam.
Tirtha Narayana and Siddendra Yogi evolved this style. Kuchelapuram in Andhra Pradesh was the birth place of this style. Hence the name Kuchipudi. It was a male prerogative. In recent years women have taken to it but it is mostlysolo dance that they perform. To this extent the concept has been watered down. Like Kathakali it used to be a week-long affair.
Vedantham Sathyanarayan is the doyen of this style and he has carved out a niche for himself in portraying hte role of the hungry, beautiful and vin-glorious Satyabhama. Vembhati China-Satyam, however, is the most popular guru today.
Labels: Indian Dance form, Kuchipudi
