Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi /kuːtʃiˈpuːdi/ is an Indian classical dance originating in Andhra Pradesh, India, but popular all over South India. According to legend, an orphan named Siddhendra Yogi founded the Kuchipudi dance-drama tradition. It was popularized by Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and many other dancers.

The performance usually begins with stage rites. Then, each of the characters comes on the stage and introduces themselves with a dharavu (a small composition of both song and dance.) The dharavu introduces the identity of the character and set the mood. The drama then begins. The dance is accompanied by song, typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by mridangam, violin, flute and the tambura. Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a lightweight wood called Boorugu. It originated in the seventh century.

Style

Bharata Muni who wrote the Natya Shastra had explained various aspects of this dance form. Later sometime in the 13th century, the impetus to kuchipudi was given by Siddhendra Yogi. Well-versed in the Natyashasra, he composed a dance-drama Parijatapaharana.

Kuchipudi, Krishna district

Kuchipudi is a village in Krishna district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Movva mandal of Machilipatnam revenue division. It is one of the villages in the mandal to be a part of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region.

See also

References