Difference Between Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi Dances

Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu, name possibly derived from Bharat. In Natya Shastra, Bharatanatyam is described as ekaharya in which one dancer depicts many roles. Siva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance is depicted in various dance forms. Bharatnatyam leans heavily on the abhinaya or mime aspect of dance – the nritya, where the dancer expresses the sahitya through movement and mime (gestures and facial expression). Bharatanatyam is usually accompanied by the classical music. It is practiced by male and female dancers.

Noted Exponents of Bharatnatyam include Rukmini Devi Arundale, Mallika Sarabhai, Yamini Krishnamurthy

Kuchipudi derives its name from a village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Its worth note that there are many similarities between the Kuchipudi and Yakshagana. In fact, the evolution of Kuchipudi and Yakshagana seems to be common. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi, a talented Vaishnava poet of 17^th century. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by nritta (non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by mridangam, violin, flute and the tambura. Like other classical dances, Kuchipudi also comprises pure dance, mime and histrionics but it is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi’s presentation as dance drama. Noted Kuchipudi exponents are: Raja Reddy and Radha reddy, Sonal Mansingh, Yamini Krishnamurthy