Kuchipudi – Telugu classical dance

Kuchipudi is one of the classical Indian dances, which has its origin from the south Indian state, Andhra Pradesh. The name Kuchipudi has been originated from a small village in the state called Kuchipudi in Krishna district, where this dance has its origin.

Siddhendra Yogi, the first scholar who has given the present form to this dance drama. Bhamakalapam is one of the celebrated compositions and is orignated from the repetoire Kalapas. The repertoire of Kuchipudi has two forms Kalapas and Yakshaganas.

The movements in Kuchipudi, the telugu classical dance, are scintillating, rounded and fleet-footed. Performed to classical Carnatic music, it shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam, another classical dance form originated in Tamil Nadu.

Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a light weight wood called Boorugu. The singer is accompanied by mridangam, violin, flute and the tambura (a drone instrument with strings which are plucked).