KUCHIPUDI
INDIAN ART AND HISTORY
ASSIGNMENT 3
PRESENTED BY:
Ashish Roy
Prajakta
PRESENTED TO: Sakshi Gondawal
Mrs. Jyoti Kathju Saundarya Mathur
Sejal
NIFT faculty
Shreya Sharma
Shreya Singh
INTRODUCTION
Kuchipudi, one of eight classical dance styles of
India is indigenous to the state of Andhra
Pradesh and differs from the other classical styles
by the inclusion of singing.
Kuchipudi was once a dance agraharam (a colony
of Brahmins) ,just as the dance has changed
contours, breaking away from the confines of the
locality, a particular caste and gender, Kuchipudi
too has become home to various communities.
1
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Kuchipudi evolved as a religious art rooting
back to the age-old Hindu Sanskrit text
‘Natya Shastra’ which is accredited to
Indian theatrologist and musicologist
Bharata Muni. Its origin is placed around
2nd century BC and connects traditionally
with temples, spiritual faiths and travelling
bards.
2
HISTORY & ORIGIN
It's trace can also be seen back from the
10th and 15th centuries in copper
inscriptions of Machupalli Kaifat. The
present day version of the dance was
methodized and arranged by the sanyassin
of Advaita Vedanta sect, Tirtha Narayana
Yati, and his disciple Siddhendra Yogi in
17th century.
2
KUCHIPUDI COSTUMES
The traditional Kuchipudi was
performed by an all males troupe. A
dancer in a male role would be in
Angivastra, also known as Bagalbandi,
wearing a dhoti (a single pleated piece
of cloth hanging down from the
waist).A dancer in a female role would
wear a Sari with light makeup.
Women artists wear a brilliantly
colourful Sari (or a body fitting dress)
with a pleated fan stitched in front to
help highlight the exacting footwork
4
TYPES OF SAREES WORN
Kanchipuram Saree
Dharmavaram Silk
Saree
Semi Silk Saree
5
KUCHIPUDI JEWELRY
Ornaments used regularly in Kuchipudi dances are
Jumka, Oddiyanam (waist band), Nathni, Long
Mala, Short Mala, 2 Vaanki (arm bands), Chudiya,
Ghungroo, Mattal (forehead), Chandra (moon
shaped hair ornament), Surya (sun shaped hair
ornament)and a Red stick-on Bindi.
The dancers embellish themselves with imitation
Temple jewelry ( an inexpensive version of Temple
Jewelry). Most of this jewelry are made of Copper
or base metal and Gold plated. Most of this jewelry
are made of Copper or base metal and Gold
plated.
8
KUCHIPUDI MAKEUP
Should have a graceful look and must be suitable for stage
light.
Makeup is done such that it suits the fair and dark
complexions.
Main dancers or characters have their makeup different
from others. The makeup used is not so heavy. The list of
items required for the makeup of this dance form are :
Alta, sindur, kumkum, bindi,black eye liner, eye
shadow, facial powder and foundation
10
KUCHIPUDI
EXPRESSIONS
The whole dance follow the "NAVRAS
THEORY" to show the expressions and convey
the moods. These are :
Shringara (love and beauty)
Hasya(joy or mirth)
Bhibhatsya (disgust)
Rowdra (anger and it's forms)
Shanta (serenity and peace)
Veera (heroism)
Bhaya (fear)
Karuna (grief and compassion)
Adbhuta (wonder and curiosity)
12
BASED OFF
NATYA
SHASTRA
Nritta, Nritya, and Natya respectively.
14
NRITTA
The Nritta performance is an
abstract, fast, and rhythmic aspect
of the dance. The viewer is
presented with pure movement in
Nritta, wherein the emphasis is the
beauty in motion, form, speed,
range, and pattern. This part of the
repertoire has no interpretative
aspect, no telling of the story. It is a
technical performance and aims to
engage the senses (Prakriti) of the
audience.
14
NRITYA
The Nritya is a slower and expressive
aspect of the dance that attempts
to communicate feelings, storyline
(particularly of Krishna) with spiritual
themes in Hindu dance traditions. In
a nritya, the dance-acting expands
to include silent expression of words
through gestures and body motion
set to musical notes. This part of a
repertoire is more than sensory
enjoyment, it aims to engage the
emotions and mind of the viewer.
15
NATYAM
The Natyam is a play, typically a team
performance, but can be acted out by
a solo performer. A Natya
incorporates the elements of a Nritya.
Kuchipudi, in its history, relied on a
team of dance actors, while in
modern times Kuchipudi productions
include solo or duo performances.
16
HASTAS / MUDRAS
In all Indian classical dances, hand gestures are
called Hastas or Mudras. Hastas are used:
To beautify the hand movements.
To denote various things in Indian classical
dances.
Each Hasta is specific with particular meaning and
is identified by its name.
Kuchipudi refers to the Abhinaya Darpanam (Mirror
of Gestures, a famous text on gestures) for the
hand gestures.
Hastas according to Abhinaya Darpanam are
classified into two categories and they are
Asamyuta and Samyuta hastas.
17
NAMES AND PICTURES OF ASAMYUTA HASTAS
18
NAMES AND PICTURES OF SAMYUTA HASTAS
Anjali Kapotha Swastika Shivalinga Chakra Shankha Pushpaputa Samputa Keelaka
Utsanga Avahittha Dola Shakatam Paasha Bherundha Matsya
Kartaree swastika Katakavardhana Koorma Varaha Garuda Nagabanda Khatva Karkata
19
KUCHIPUDI MUSIC AND INSTRUMENTS
The music is in two different tempos in rhythms of four and seven.
The songs are those that come under what is called dhruva gana.
In a Sanskrit drama, the main function of these songs is to supply
whatever has not been expressly stated by the dramatist, These
songs are called dhruva-s because they stabilize and form the firm
basis of the production or their themes.
Daru is the main content of the music in Kuchipudi; it adapts Jaru
style of singing in – medium and quick tempos. The usage of pure
notes and phrases in quick tempo is the characteristic feature of
kuchipudi music.
20
Instruments
Musical instruments used in
Kuchipudi are cymbals,
mridangam, violine, thamburi,
flute. The Kuchipudi
performance is led by a
conductor (chief musician) called
the Sutradhara or Nattuvanar,
who typically keeps the beat
using cymbals and also recites
the musical syllables. The
Kuchipudi orchestra ensemble
includes a drummer
(mridangam), a clarinetist and a
violinist. Depending on the
legend being danced out, other
musicians such as a flutist may
be present.
22
FAMOUS PERFORMERS
Haleem Khan: He is famous for his act of ‘Bhama Kalapam’ and
a variety of roles in ‘Annamacharya kirtanas’. Haleem has
presented more than 800 dance shows across the world, as
well performed ‘Kuchipudi’ workshops abroad.
Arunima Kumar: Arunima Kumar has received the award of
Sangeet Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Kuchipudi in the
year 2008. She has also performed in several ballets like the,
Chitrangada Ballet, where she played the role of Chitrangada;
Nala Damayanti, where she played the role of Damayanti.
23
Bhavana Reddy: She is dedicated to learn ‘Kuchipudi’
dance and music. Bhavana has a very good stage
presence, with good expression that comes naturally to
her
Atisha Pratap Singh: She performed ‘Kuchipudi’ dance
in Namaste France festival in Paris in November 2016.
Shobha Naidu: Shobha Naidu is the leading ‘Kuchipudi’
dancer. She has performed with her guru's group in all
over the country and abroad, shining in the roles of
Satyabhama and Padmavati. She has received the title
of Nritya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha,
Chennai. She has received the awards of Padma Shri,
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Nritya Kala Siromani,
Late Sri N T Rama Rao awards etc.
25
CONCLUSION
Today Kuchipudi is considerably a different style of dance form than it originally used
to be. In most of the cases it is now a solo performance done by female dancers. The
Sutradharahas (the one who conducts) become a phenomenon of the past and the
Vachika abhinaya (the music accompanying the dance), that is, expressional numbers
are sung by the dancers themselves are now sung by the vocalists in the background
The element of devotion to gods has also been done away with and it has become
purely a secular affair with predominance of 'sringar' or erotic flavour. Besides the
drama component has also been totally reduced.
Motifs and shapes have also been incorporated into Kuchipudi dance recitals to make
it more competitive with other dance forms.
.
26
REFERENCES
1. https://paipa.in/about-kuchipudi-dance-history.html
2. https://yehaindia.com/kuchipudi-the-classical-dance-form-from-andhra-pradesh/
3. https://yehaindia.com/kuchipudi-the-classical-dance-form-from-andhra-pradesh/
4. http://www.natgeotraveller.in/culture-getaway-exploring-classical-art-and-dance-
in-kuchipudi/
5. https://www.google.com/urlsa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuchipu
di&ved=2ahUKEwjtiu63yPPyAhUY73MBHfKIBmYQFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0gUK007ei2V8C
XJxGpSOyd
6. https://www.slideshare.net/visakhjohn2012/kuchipudi-41476087
