As a classical form of dance, drama and music Kuchipudi enjoys a unique place among the Indian classical dance idioms. It is racy and sprightly - indicating the quest for conquering of Space and Time. With all its vigorous leaps and turns, it is not cast in the mold of impressionism. It is ebullient, scintillating and yet has the capacity to be intensely lyrical. It is bold and sensuous in the movements of the eyes, its ethos not confined to the languorous world of pining lovers.
Kuchipudi derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, in Andhra Pradesh, where it grew largely as a product of Bhakti movement beginning in the seventh century A.D.. The tradition of classical dances in Andhra Pradesh goes back to more than a millennium and half as the wealth of sculptures in the ancient temples, the Buddhist ruins at Ajanta and Ellora caves, Amaravathi and ramappa Temple would indicate.Like any other dance form, Kuchipudi, draws its sustenance from the principles enunciated in Bharata's Natya Sastra. The earlier themes of Kuchipudi were the legends about Shiva performed both by men and women. Men performed ritual dances in Shiva temples while women performed as Kelika (entertainment) at Kalyanamandapams of the temples where gods gave audience. The resurgent spirit of the later period brought about a revival of the Kuchipudi dance in Andhra Pradesh which gave rise to the inclusion of the more softer romantic elements of Vaishnavism. And the Kuchipudi artistes began enacting stories from Bhagavata Puranas. Because of this they were called Bhagavatulus. As decades rolled by, however, enthusiasm for dance waned and the art showed signs of dis integration. It then fell on a great mystic teacher, Siddhendra Yogi (1350 - 1450) to formulate a syllabus and discipline for Kuchipudi dance and to persuade male members of the Brahmin community to take pledge to learn, practice and dance this form.
