kuchipudi
- Key People:
- Mallika Sarabhai
- Yamini Krishnamurthy
- Related Topics:
- natya
- Bhama Kalapam
kuchipudi, one of the nine recognized classical dance forms of India. It originated in the state of Andhra Pradesh and gets its name from the village of Kuchipudi in the state’s Krishna district. Based on the Indian sage Bharata’s Natyashastra (“Treatise on Acting”), it combines elements of nritta (“pure dance”), nritya (“expressive dance”), and natya (“dramatic storytelling”). Traditionally performed as a dance drama, kuchipudi later evolved into a solo performance form while retaining its expressive storytelling and rhythmic precision. Other classical dance forms of India include bharatanatyam, kathak, manipuri, kathakali, odissi, mohiniyattam, sattriya, and chhau.
Origin and evolution
Kuchipudi’s roots can be traced to Sidhyendra Yogi, a Vaishnavite poet who choreographed Bhama Kalapam, a dance drama about Satyabhāma, one of the wives of the Hindu god Krishna. Sidhyendra Yogi trained boys belonging to the Brahmin caste from the Kuchipudi village to perform his compositions. In the 17th century Abul Hasan Tana Shah, ruler of the Quṭb Shāhī dynasty, saw a performance of Bhama Kalapam. Impressed by its artistry, he granted the village of Kuchipudi to Brahmin families dedicated to the art.
Initially all roles, including those of female characters, were performed by male dancers. In the 20th century dancer Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry introduced female dancers to kuchipudi, marking a significant shift in its performance tradition. Vempati Chinna Satyam, a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, played a pivotal role in shaping the dance form into a structured classical tradition and expanding its solo format. He founded the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras (now Chennai) in 1963, systematized its training methods, and choreographed numerous solo pieces and dance dramas.
Elements
Performance and techniques
Kuchipudi recitals traditionally begin with an invocatory piece, such as Ganesha Vandana (“prayer to the Hindu god Ganesha”) or a hymn to other deities. The dancer then presents a nritta piece, usually in the form of jatiswaram, a rhythmic dance sequence that highlights footwork and dynamic body movements. Following this, a composition known as shabdam introduces elements of expression and depicts mythological themes. A central natya piece in kuchipudi is kalapam, where the dancer portrays Satyabhāma showing her emotions through abhinaya (“gesture language”). Lyrical compositions called padams and javalis explore themes of devotion, love, and separation. The performance includes tillana, an energetic dance piece showcasing brisk movements and complex footwork followed with mangalam, a segment offering gratitude and reverence. The recital concludes with tarangam, where the dancer balances on the rim of a brass plate and dances, often carrying a pot of water on their head.
Music and accompaniment
Kuchipudi is performed to Carnatic music, with a live orchestra featuring instruments such as the mridangam (percussion), the violin, the flute, and cymbals. A vocalist sings Sanskrit and Telugu compositions as an accompaniment to the dance performance. A nattuvanar (“conductor”) recites rhythmic syllables and guides the dancer’s footwork, ensuring synchronization between movement and music.
Costume and makeup
Kuchipudi dancers wear vibrant costumes with ornate jewelry. Female dancers typically wear a pachabottu (nine-yard sari) to allow fluid movement, paired with a choli (fitted blouse). Male dancers wear dhotis and kurtas, while female dancers wear traditional saris. Expressions are emphasized with bold eye makeup, and ghungroos (musical anklets with bells) highlight the rhythmic footwork.