About Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is one of the nine classical dance forms in India. It borrowed its name from the village Kuchipudi, a small hamlet in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. A Saint named Siddhendra Yogi was instrumental in this form coming into existence. Kuchipudi was traditionally performed by young men from nine Brahmin families. Both the male and female roles were protrayed by them. Naatakeeyatha or the dramatic element is a distinctive characteristic of Kuchipudi, steming from traditional theatrical genres. Kalapas, like the Bhamakalapam and Gollakalapam, and Yakshaganas, like the Prahlada Natakam, Usha Parinayam, and others formed the repertoire of Kuchipudi until the early twentieth century. 

​

The last century was a witness to many transformations in this form. It was only in the 1930’s that complete solo presentations in this form had begun. It was also during that period that members belonging to families other than the traditional ones were being initiated into the dance form. And this included women too. With the initiation of female artists into the form, many changes had come about in various aspects, ranging from the costume to the technique to the content. 

​

 From the late 1950s, Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam garu had a major influence on Kuchipudi. After moving to Chennai , he began teaching several students, and this number runs into thousands. He choreographed many solo dances and dance dramas. The solo dances have gained immense popularity since then. This form has traveled far and wide and has many takers in many nations today. Symbolized by graceful, rounded movements that flow from one into another, this form also demands a lot of mukhabhinaya, which is expressed through the face and its hand gestures.