Kuchipudi Dance in Textual Form

For all those of us who look out for profundity and perfection, "Kuchipudi Dance in Textual from", is a Sheer treat.

This book aims to provide basically to the students of the Government Music and Dance/College/ Schools, Degree colleges and Universities of Andhra Pradesh state, who face many difficulties in preparing for various examinations like Certificate, Diploma and Degrees in Kuchipudi dance conducted by the 'Potti Sri Ramulu Telugu University' Generally the Students need to refer on a variety of texts, most of them not easily available in English. But here they get what they have been longing for because all the topics of the subject are enlightened from the roots.

Another salient features of this book is its language which is simple and lucid, thus making it easy for its readers to memorize the topics of the subject in an effective manner. The book is divided into 9 Chapters. The Sanskrit slokas pertaining to the relevant topics is also incorporated in this book for the students to read and memorize it easily.

Chapter I : This Chapter deals with "Hastabhinaya" meaning the various gestures of hands used in performing kuchipudi dance. A deailed definition, meaning and uses with relevant slokas. Asamyutha Hastas, Samyutha Hastas, Nrtta Hastas (Natya Shastra), Dwadasahastas, Devata Hastas, Dikpalakaa Hasas, Dasavatara Hastas, Chaturvarna Hastaas, Bandhavya Hastas and Navagraaha Hastas are mentioned.

Chapter II : This chapter deals with the various Angas, Upangas such as Head, Eyes, eyebrows and neck movements. The Rasa Dristis of Natya Shastra is also included in this Chapter.

Chapter III : This Chapter deals with the cari and Mandala Bhedas. The Pada Bhedas are also included in this Chapter.

Chapter IV : This Chapter deals with the different moods like Bhavas, Vibhavas and Anubhavas. The detailed knowledge about Sthayi bhavas, Sanchari Bhavas and Sathvika Bhavas are also given in this chapter. Introduction to the four kinds of Abhinayas are also described in this Chapter.

Chapter V : In this Chapter the detailed description of Navaras are given.

Chapter VI : This Chapter deals with the origin of Dance, introductions to the Indian classical dance. The procedure and the rules to perform purvarangam is also given in detail. The two Dharmis, Vrithi and Pravruthi is also added in this Chapters. The different kinds of Heroes and Heroines are described in detail with their slokas.

Chapter VII : This Chapter gives the elaborate knowledge about the Kuchipudi dance and the History, importance & development of Kuchipudi dance, the Yakshaganams, Bhamakalapam, Aaharyam of Satyabhama and Aharyam in Yakshaganas, the importance of Music in Kuchipudi dance, Satyabhama's jada etc., are briefly given.

Chapter VIII: This Chapter deals with the biographies of the main music composers who's work is taken to perform Kuchipudi dance. The life history of the great Guru's belonging to the field of Kuchipudi dance, and their contribution towards this dance is also included in this Chapter.

Chapter IX : The knowledge of Tala and Laya is very essential for the Dancers. Hence the last Chapter deals with this knowledge. Few important slokas with their meaning is also incorporated in this Chapter.

Above mentioned Chapters are covered in detailed manner for the easy understanding of the students. Great care has been taken in compiling and publishing this book. Hope this book will be a treasure of knowledge about the Kuchipudi dance.

Under the supervision of the scholars in the field of Kuchipudi dance and their suggestion were taken to make this books complete and give surplus knowledge of Kuchipudi dance for those who are really in the quench of the knowledge about the Kuchipudl dance. The blessings of the eminent personalities and Gurus great care has been taken to complete this book.

Smt. Padinyarayil Ramadevi had a fascination to the art of Kuchipudi Dance and availed the opportunity to learn this noble art under able guidance of the Guru Sri. Mahankali Srimannarayana Garu.

Graduating from ANDHRA UNIVERSITY in science with first class and also holding a bachelors degree in Education from ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Software Engineering-from Aptech-Secunderabad.

Smt. P. Ramadevi started the dance institute-SRI SAl NATARAJA ACADEMY OF KUCHIPUDI DANCE in the year 1989'in east marredpally, secunderabad, A.P. The academy enrolled more than 50 students on the record. This academy also offers coaching in carnatic vocal, Mridangam, Violin and Flute. Academy offers coaching for the certificate and diploma examinations conducted by the POTTI SRIRAMULU TELUGU UNIVERSITY HYD. The academy is proud to announce that more than 50 students have successfully completed these courses. Few of the students are also graded by the dept. of cultural Affairs, Govt. of A.P. Hyderabad.

Smt. P. Ramadevi has completed the MA (Kuchipudi Dance) with first rank in the P.S. Telugu University. Smt. P. Ramadevi was declared as the outstanding student of the Telugu University in the year 1999. She was also awarded the GOLD MEDAL by the University in the year 1999.

Smt. P. Ramadevi has performed at Surajkundmela Festival-1999, Dussera Festival at Shilparamam in 1997 & 98, Deccan Festival at Lalitha Kala Toranam - 1997, Sanaskrit Ballet Festival-Ujjain, conducted by South central Zone in 1998. She has performed leading roles in Chitrakutamahatyam, Mandakini, Satyabhama vilasam, Nandeeswara Sthotram, Gongavataranam, Navadurgavilasam, Sri Lalitha Devi Mahatyam, Geetagovindam, Siva Pallaki Seva Prabhandam, Budham Saranam Gatchami, Bhavayami Raghuramam etc ... She has choreographed many ballets like Veekshe Deva Devam, Amarajeevi, Budham Saranam Gatchami (at IInd International Budha Festival at Sarnath-Varanasi, U.P.) Bhavayami Raghuramam etc ...

Smt. P.Rama Devi, M.A.Gold Medallist in Kuchipudi Dance from Potti Sri Ramulu Telugu University is known to me for the past several years. She is running her own dance school since 12 years and training a numbeer of students from the age group of 5 to 25 years both in practical and Theory. She is a good choreographer which shows her theoretical knowledge in-depth in Kuchipudi Dance. When she approached me and told me about the idea of writing a Text book covering the entire 'syllabus for the Certificate and Diploma courses in Kuchipudi Dance, I was thrilled as her effort was first of its kind, I appreciated and blessed her to concentrate on this work as this book will be a guide line for those who are appearing for these .examinations. Not only to the students- but also for a person who would like to have detailed knowledge about kuchipudi dance.

The first chapter "Hastabhinayam" in. this book emphasizes on the definitions and uses of Asamyutha, Samyutha and Nrtta Hastas which will provide sufficient knowledge for the learners.

The second chapter is concentrated on exclusive angas and upangas with relevant slokas, definitions and uses. In the third chapter the Chari and Mandala Bhedas are explained in detail. The Pada Bhedas are also included in the chapter.

An elaborate explanation of Bhavas and Rasas are covered in the fourth and fifth chapters. The sixth chapter covers the origin of the Dance, the Indian Classical Dance Forms. The description of the poorvarangam in this book is too lengthy for the beginners.

Seventh and Eighth Chapters which really give the meaning to the title of this book is covered with many important topics in a detailed manner. Inclusion of Tala and Laya as Ninth Chapter in this book shows the importance of having knowledge of Tala and Laya for a dancer.

After going through this Text book, I sincerely felt that this book is really worthy for a person who wants to know, about the famous Indian Classical Dance of Andhra Pradesh State. I really appreciate the effort put by Smt. P.Rama Devi and I bless her once again whole heartedly for her an good endeavors in the years to come.