CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS OF INDIA - Kathakali and Kuchipudi

 Kathakali

 

Kathakali is considered to be the most important classical dance form of the Indian state of Kerala, known for its richness in cultural heritage. The term Kathakali is derived from katha (Malayalam: കഥ, from Sanskrit) which means "story or a conversation, or a traditional tale", and kaḷi (Malayalam: കളി) which means "performance" or "play". The dance symbolises the eternal fight between good and evil.

Of all classical Indian dances, Kathakali has the most elaborate costuming consisting of head dresses, face masks and vividly painted faces. It typically takes several evening hours to prepare a Kathakali troupe to get ready for a play. Costumes have made Kathakali's popularity extend beyond adults, with children absorbed by the colors, makeup, lights and sounds of the performances.

Several ancient Sanskrit texts such as Natya Shastra and Hastha Lakshanadeepika discuss hand gestures or mudras. Kathakali follows the Hastha Lakshanadeepika most closely, unlike other classical dances of India

There are 24 main mudras, and numerous more minor ones in Kathakali. There are nine facial expressions called Navarasas, which each actor masters through facial muscle control during his education, in order to express the emotional state of the character in the play.

These are majorly found in other classical Indian dances. The Navarasas express nine bhava-s (emotions) in Kathakali as follows: 

1. Sringara expresses Rati (love, pleasure, delight)
2. Hasya expresses Hasa (comic, laugh, mocking)
3. Karuna expresses Shoka (pathetic, sad)
4. Raudra expresses Krodha (anger, fury)
5. Vira expresses Utsaha (vigor, enthusiasm, heroic)
6. Bhayanaka expresses Bhaya (fear, concern, worry)
7. Bibhatsa expresses Jugupsa (disgust, repulsive)
8. Adbhuta expresses Vismaya (wondrous, marvel, curious)
9. Shanta expresses Sama (peace, tranquility) 
   

By the 19th-century, many such styles were in vogue in Kerala, of which two major styles have crystallized and survived into the modern age.

The Kidangoor style is one of the two, that developed in Travancore, and it is strongly influenced by Kutiyattam, while also drawing elements of Ramanattam and Kalladikkotan. It is traditionally attributed to Nalanunni, under the patronage of Utram Tirunal Maharaja (1815-1861).

The Kalluvazhi style is second of the two, which developed in Palakkad (Olappamanna Mana) in central Kerala, and it is a synthesis of the older Kaplingadan and Kalladikkotan performance arts. It is traditionally attributed to Unniri Panikkar, in a Brahmin household (~1850), and became the dominant style established in Kerala Kalamandalam – a school of performance arts.

 

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is one of the eight major Indian classical dances. It originates from a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.  

 Kuchipudi is a dance-drama form. This means that it tells stories through dance, music, and song. Kuchipudi dancers are trained in all three aspects of dance: Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and Natya (drama).

Some of the renowned Kuchipudi dancers are:

• Vempati Chinna Satyam
• Yamini Krishnamurthy
• Bhavana Reddy
• Uma Rama Rao
• Mallika Sarabhai
• Yamini Reddy
• Divyaa Unni
• Bhanupriya

The traditional Kuchipudi was performed by all males troupe. A dancer in a male role would be in Angavastra (a single pleated piece of cloth hanging down from the waist). A dancer in a female role would wear a Sari with light makeup.

Jewelry pieces used by Dancers:

• Earrings: Jhumkas with chains called mattals or ear chains. 
• Neck: Dancers often wear a short necklace, called an attikai, and a longer one, called a malai. 
• Bangles and arm chains: Dancers wear many bangles and armlets to signify prosperity. 
• Waist chain: Also known as an ottiyanam, this exaggerated golden waistband helps the dancer form shapes and accurate dance moves. 
• Ghungroo: A key ornament and instrument that makes a loud sound during the dance. 
• Hair jewelry: Dancers wear flowers and other symbolic elements in their hair, such as Vedic symbols for the sun, moon, soul, and nature. 

There are 54 Hasta mudras which are divided into 28 Asamyutha Hastas (Single handed gestures) and 24 Samyutha Hastas (Double handed gestures). There are 66 basic steps to be learnt to practice Kuchipudi flawlessly. 

From the blogger: 

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~Nandhanaa Santhosh