11 Facts About Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance, with it's roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.

Kuchipudi tradition holds that Tirtha Narayana Yati – a sanyassin of Advaita Vedanta persuasion, and his disciple, an orphan named Siddhendra Yogi, founded and systematized the modern version of Kuchipudi in the 17th century.

Kuchipudi largely developed as a Krishna-oriented Vaishnavism tradition, and it is known by the name of Bhagavata Mela in Thanjavur.

Popularity of Kuchipudi has grown within India, and it is performed worldwide.

Kuchipudi is named after the village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh named Kuchipudi – shortened form of the full name Kuchelapuram or Kuchilapuri – where it developed.

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Kuchipudi, which was traditionally staged at night on a stage attached to a Hindu temple, was impacted and like all classical Indian dances declined during the colonial rule period.

Vempati Venkatanarayana Sastri was the guru of Sastri, taught him Kuchipudi, and was a key figure in helping preserve Kuchipudi.

Kuchipudi is a team performance, with roots in Hindu religious festivals.

In modern times, Kuchipudi has diversified, women have joined Kuchipudi dance, outnumber male artists, and are among its most celebrated artists.

Kuchipudi performance traditionally is a night performance, when rural families return from their farms and are free of their daily work.

Kuchipudi has several regional banis, which developed because of the uniqueness and creativity of gurus (teachers).