Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is essentially a form of classical dance-drama that developed at Kuchelapuram in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi at Karnataka enjoys great popularity and is practiced widely by men and women alike. The knowledge in performing Kuchipudi in the earlier days were confined among the Brahmins and were disseminated within the closed doors of tradition. However, presently great masters and efficient performers instruct the pupils on the nuances of Kuchipudi in Karnataka through various dance forms though art schools and dance academies built specifically for the purpose.

Siddhendra Yogi, a sage of great repute and wisdom is considered to be the founder of Kuchipudi. He instructed his students in representing various mythological themes in a dance form built on the lines of the Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. Practiced widely by the Brahmins, the dance was not considered to be a form of entertainment in the early years. It was a mode of personal enlightenment and at times was used as a tool of social reform as well. The dance employs a series of graceful movements and fast rhythmic patterns accompanied by traditional Carnatic musical instruments and songs. Often presented as solo or group performances in the present day, it still retains various events taken from Hindu mythology as its theme.

Kuchipudi in Karnataka has enjoyed great popularity right from the ancient days. Karnataka's Kuchipudi shares the appreciation and tradition of the dance form which essentially belongs to Andhra Pradesh. The temple sculptures of many temples of Karnataka attest to this fact. Even now, Kuchipudi features prominently in various religious as well as secular programs across the state. Many schools and academies devoted to art and cultural studies presently feature Kuchipudi as an integral part of their discipline.