Indian Classical Dances

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian Dance from Andrapradesh India. It is also popular all over South India.Kuchupidi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna District that borders the Bay of Bengal and also the  of the resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form, it acquired the present name. Kuchipudi derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, in Andhra Pradesh, India. As a classical form of dance, drama and music Kuchipudi enjoys a unique place among the Indian classical idioms. Kuchipudi grew largely as a product of the Bhakti movement beginning in the seventh century A.D. However, it was in the 14th century that the ascetic Siddhendra Yogi appeared on the scene and gave Kuchipudi a new definition and direction.

Kuchipudi is purely classical in nature and employs Lasya, Thandava and Abinaya with the purpose of interpretation of Slokas. The classical Indian art also includes Samyutha, Asamyutha Hasthas, Karana, Chari, Angahara, Mandala, Nrutha Hasthas etc. It is unique dance form in the sense that it makes intricate use of four Abhinayas namely Angika, Vachika, Aaharya and Satvica respectively.

Modern Kuchipudi acquired its present form in the 20th century.  A number of people were responsible for moving it from the villages to the performance stage.  One of the most notable was guru Lakshminarayan Shastry.  After him, a number of other luminaries would mould it into its present shape.  Some notable names are Vempati Chinna Satyam, C.R. Acharyalu, and Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna.

Classical Dances of South India

Indian Classical Dance is one of the most comprehensive and oldest dance forms in the world. Most of the development of Indian dance is linked to the 2nd century B.C. treatise. This treatise, Bharata’s Natyashastra, is the most important source for establishing the characteristics of Indian dance and drama.The Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama of India, confers classical status on eight dance forms of India --- Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya, Kathakali, and Kathak. Out of these eight, four originated in South India. They are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali.

Bharatanatyam

Bharata Natyam is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms of India. This dance form originated in the temples and courts of southern India. Later it was documented as a performing art in the 19th century by four brothers known as the Tanjore Quartet (musicians). Their musical compositions are use for Bharata Natyam dance repertoire even today.Bharatanatyam can be performed solo or in a group. The pure dance is called nritta and the expressive is nritya. The solo dancer uses various methods of story-telling to interpret the verses and stories she performs. The person who conducts the recital is called the natatuvanar,, who is generally the guru of the dancer.

Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading bharatanatyam,mohiniyattam,kuchipudi dancers in Kerala. Anand has contributed his own concepts to the traditional dance style through his experimentation and innovations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipidi.

Mohiniyattam

     Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu, which was originally called 'Dasiyattam'. Mohiniyattam involves delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The movements are graceful and the costumes are sober and attractive. Mohiniattam follows the Hastha Lakshanadeepika, a textbook for Mudras. The vocal music for Mohiniattam is classical Carnatic.

     Mohiniyattam is a beautiful dance form of the women of Kerala and it is one of the classical dances of India too.Among the various vrithi-s (styles) detailed by Bharata Muni in his Natya Shastra, Mohiniyattam most resembles the kaisiki(graceful)type.Consisting, as it does, of gentle Angahara-s and belonging to the Lasya style which is feminine, tender and graceful:

 The kaisiki style is most appropriate for the erotic sentiment and its related expressions Mohiniyattam dance form typically represents and performs as Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. Mohini stands for beauty which takes away heart with her expression, gestures and movements.

Histroy of Kuchipudi Dance

Kuchipudi is one such unique form of Art which is the tasteful blend of grace and vigour, elevation and sensuality, of control and abandon. With its roots buried in the soil of Andhra Pradesh in India, Kuchipudi was born in a remote Village from which it derived its name. In the early days, the Kuchipudi style of dance was in the form of dance dramas, the main purpose being to inculcate divine ecstasy which invokes immortal bliss and brings one closer to the path of salvation.

The living Legend Padmabushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam is the only present recognized Guru and Author of Kuchipudi Dance over the world. He not only followed his Guru's footsteps but proceeded even further down through the road of revolution. He made a detailed study of the oldest available treatise on dance.

Kuchipudi is purely classical in nature and employs Lasya, Thandava and Abinaya with the purpose of interpretation of Slokas. The classical Indian art also includes Samyutha, Asamyutha Hasthas, Karana, Chari, Angahara, Mandala, Nrutha Hasthas etc. It is unique dance form in the sense that it makes intricate use of four Abhinayas namely Angika, Vachika, Aaharya and Satvica respectively.

Bharatnatyam Dancers

Famous Kuchipudi Dancers in Kerala

The songs in Kuchipudi are mimed with alluring expressions, swift looks and fleeting emotions evoking the rasa. In Tarangam at times she places a pot full of water on her head and dances on the brass plate. The song accompanying this number is from the well known Krishna Leela Tarangini, a text which recounts the life and events of Lord Krishna

In expressional numbers a dancer sometimes chooses to enact the role of Satyabhama, the proud and self-assured queen of Lord Krishna, from the dance-drama Bhama Kalapam. She goes through various stages of love. When in separation from Lord Krishna, she recalls the happy days of union and pines for him. At last they are reunited when she sends him a letter.

Dances Of Kerala.

Kerala, referred to as "God's Own Country", boasts of a tradition and cultural heritage that trails several years back. Dance in India, is rooted to age-old tradition. This vast sub-continent has given birth to varied forms of dancing, each shaped by the influences of a particular period and environment. Dancing which forms an integral part of any country or region's culture, has, for long, been a part of many ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations, with the beautiful state of Kerala being no exception. . Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people.

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam was popularised as a popular dance form in the nineteenth century by Swathi Thirunal, the Maharaja of the state of Travancore (Southern Kerala), and Vadivelu, one of the Thanjavur Quartet.It is another classical dance form of Kerala, performed by only women and is known for its graceful movements and simple but elegant costumes.