Kuchipudi

Legend has it that, in the 12th century, Siddendra Yogi, the creator of Kuchipudi, attained nirvana watching his disciples perform one of his dance-dramas.

Kuchipudi, named after the village of its creator, was originally presented as an erotic dance-drama with divine content, and oddly enough was danced by young boys. Today, however, women have taken over, what was once a male domain.

Originally known as Kuchelapuram, this small town in the Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh has even today the same traditions that allowed the genius of Siddendra Yogi to grow. Although women are now more famous as Kuchipudi dancers, the masters are still men in their middle ages dancing with such grace and fluidity that they are the envy of many a professional dancer. A Sanskrit composition 'Geeta Govindam' of the Bengali poet Jayadev created a distinct landmark in the history of Indian classical dance-drama, and it is this same piece now known as 'Astapadulu' that caused a flutter in Indian dance circles, and more so in Kuchipudi. Siddendra Yogi took up the task of writing 'Parijatapaharanam' with Krishna, Satyabhama and Rukmini as the main characters and presented it as a drama preaching the union of Atma with Paramatma. This then is the basis of the Kuchipudi style, and is something, which holds good even today.