CHARACTERS AND AHARYA OF KUCHIPUDI NRITYA RUPAKAS: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY (Pages 106-114) by Ms. Yamini Yasoda Kurati in THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST / ISSN: 2350-1499 (Online); 2350-0751 (Print)

Kuchipudi dance drama has been an art form, which originated from Kuchipudi village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The term ‘Kuchipudi Bhagavatas’ refers to specific Brahmin families of Kuchipudi village, who learnt and performed the art and dance drama. The salient feature is that only male members of these families learnt the art and performed. It has three genres – Kalapas, Yakshaganas and Nritya Rupakas. Kalapas were introduced by Siddhendra Yogi in 13th century. There were two Kalapas i.e., Bhama Kalapam and Golla Kalapam, which became popular. In mid 19th century, Kuchipudi Bhagavatas took up Yakshaganas written by other authors and started performing them by composing music and dance. These performances were performed in village areas on festival or other occasions and lasted for three consecutive nights. After India got independence, efforts were made to bring the art form to lime light. Kuchipudi form has been recognized as classical art in 1959. However by 1950s, the Kalapas and Yakshaganas, except for two or three, ceased to be performed. However, traditional gurus from Kuchipudi went to other places like Madras and popularized the art form by teaching to students and making changes in structure and content. Vempati Chinna Satyam is an eminent guru, who trained several students. He is credited with introduction, choreography and performance of Kuchipudi dance dramas with changes in structure and content, at the same time maintaining Kuchipudi tradition. These dance dramas are called Nritya Rupakas. This paper describes the characters in these Nritya Rupakas and their Aharya. The study is important to understand the changes that have taken place in Kuchipudi dance drama and also to evaluate emerging trends.uchipudi dance drama has been an art form, which originated from Kuchipudi village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The term ‘Kuchipudi Bhagavatas’ refers to specific Brahmin families of Kuchipudi village, who learnt and performed the art and dance drama. The salient feature is that only male members of these families learnt the art and performed. It has three genres – Kalapas, Yakshaganas and Nritya Rupakas. Kalapas were introduced by Siddhendra Yogi in 13th century. There were two Kalapas i.e., Bhama Kalapam and Golla Kalapam, which became popular. In mid 19th century, Kuchipudi Bhagavatas took up Yakshaganas written by other authors and started performing them by composing music and dance. These performances were performed in village areas on festival or other occasions and lasted for three consecutive nights. After India got independence, efforts were made to bring the art form to lime light. Kuchipudi form has been recognized as classical art in 1959. However by 1950s, the Kalapas and Yakshaganas, except for two or three, ceased to be performed. However, traditional gurus from Kuchipudi went to other places like Madras and popularized the art form by teaching to students and making changes in structure and content. Vempati Chinna Satyam is an eminent guru, who trained several students. He is credited with introduction, choreography and performance of Kuchipudi dance dramas with changes in structure and content, at the same time maintaining Kuchipudi tradition. These dance dramas are called Nritya Rupakas. This paper describes the characters in these Nritya Rupakas and their Aharya. The study is important to understand the changes that have taken place in Kuchipudi dance drama and also to evaluate emerging trends.Keywords: Kuchipudi Bhagavatas, Kuchipudi village, Kalapas, Yakshaganas and Nritya Rupakas, Siddhendra Yogi, Bhama Kalapam and Golla Kalapam, Vempati Chinna Satyam, Nritya Rupakas etc.