KUCHIPUDI : As we are aware , Siddhendra yogi the great saint of 14th century by incorporating the principles of Natyasasthra to the existing form of Yakshagana dance dramas had given it a new form.The outcome was a beautiful , elegant and distinct "KUCHIPUDI".The amalgamation of both folk and classical forms has been done with such dexterity that KUCHIPUDI has secured a special place amidst the other shining stars of the classical arena.KUCHIPUDI is not a mere dance form , but a combination of dance gestures , speech and song , hence a dancer has to be well versed in dancing , acting music etc.When they incorporate THARANGAM , the technique of balancing pot on head or use coloured powder on the feet to mark out a design on the floor , the dance takes one to a totally different world ! It was around 1930's the maestro Vedanta Lakshmi Narayana Sastry created ripples in the world of dance by introducing women dancers to Kuchipudi.Today KUCHIPUDI has metamorphosised to include both solo and group performances by both men and women.
