The Journey of a Professional Kuchipudi Dancer

Hello, if you are here then you must be a passionate dancer who would like to continue dance as a profession. You are at the right place; read below to know what the different stages are that will make you a dancer by profession.

Practice your dance for at least 3years before planning for any certification. Minimum age to start the preparation is 10years. You have the following options to go for certification,

Level-1

• Get your Junior diploma PP1 and PP2 from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. pracheenkalakendra.org/examination.php

• Frequency of exam: Bi-annual exams mostly conducted in Feb and Sep.

• Eligibility criteria: 8years (Recommended 3years of practice or 10years of age whichever is later)

• Mode of exam: Oral theory and practical exam for 100marks will be conducted.

• Syllabus for PP1

Theory (25 marks)

1. Natyothpathi: According to Bharata's Natyashastra

2. Definitions: Natya, Nritya, Laasya, Taandav, Apatra, Kinkini, Sabha

3. Give the names of sapta taalas with shlokas

4. Asamyutha Hasta mudras & Lakshana viniyogas

5. Dwadasha Hastha Pranas

6. Padakarma

7. Brief history of Andhra's temple dance

Practical (75 marks)

1. Basic exercises for body: Gunjeelu, Kuppellu, Kalisamu, etc for male; Angavinyasa exercises for female

2. Paadabhedas

3. Adugulu: Sama, Anchitha and Kunchitha steps (three speeds- Vilambit, Madhya & Drut)

4. Adavulu (4 varities)

5. Chutu adugulu

6. Chaukam adugulu (3 varieties)

7. Tham digi digi

8. Thai tha kita thaka

9. Tha Thai hitha

10. Katteranatu (4 varieties)

11. Mandekoppu

12. Syandita Apasyandita steps

13. Thom thom tha dha

14. Dhe dhe thai

15. Palugudu varusa

16. Theermanas and Chathurasra jathis

17. Item: Vinayaka Kowthuvam

• Syllabus for PP2 : Can attempt only after completion of PP1
  

Theory (25 marks)

1. Brief description of Indian Dances.

2. Introduction of Classical dance styles

3. Samyutha Hastha and Lakshana viniyogas

4. Brief description of four kinds of Abhinaya

5. Slokas:

   1. Shambhu gauri thatha

   2. Angikam bhuvanam

   3. Guru bhrama

   4. Sabha kalpa

6. Siro Bhedas and Drishti Bhedas

7. Name and introduction of traditional kuchipudi familes

8. Define: Swara, Raaga, Taala, Alapana, Laya, Pallavi, Anupallavi, Charanam
   

Practical (75 marks)

1. Slokam

   1. Angikam bhuvanam

   2. Guru brahma

   3. Sabha kalpa

2. Jatishwaram

3. Shabdham

4. Manduka Shabdham

5. Recitation in 3 speeds Aadi taalam and Rupaka taalam

6. Jathis

   1. Tisram

   2. Chathurasram

   3. Khandam

   4. Misram

   5. Sankeernam

7. Invocation: Ganapathi Vandana

8. Bhoomi vandanam

Note: Includes previous year syllabus

Level-2

• You will now be eligible for Senior diploma from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. pracheenkalakendra.org/examination.php

• Frequency of exam: Bi-annual exams mostly conducted in Feb and Sep.

• Eligibility criteria: 12 years (Recommended 5 years of practice or 14 years of age whichever is later)

• Mode of exam: Written theory and practical exam for 150marks will be conducted.

• Syllabus for Bhushan part 1: (Can start directly only if recommended by Guru)
  

Theory (50 marks)

1. History of Kuchipudi

2. Evolution and development of

   1. Bhamakalapam

   2. Yakshaganam

   3. Bhagavatha mela nataka

   4. Natakam

3. Description of Navarasas as per Natyashastram

4. Griva and Bhru bhedas

5. Uttama, Madhyama, Adhama Nayikas and their characteristics

6. Characteristics and usage of Devata Hastas

7. Life history of

   1. Kshetrayya

   2. Narayana theertha

   3. Jayadeva

   4. Munipalle subhramanya kavi

   5. Siddhendhra yogi

   6. Bhadrachala Ramadasu

   7. Tyagaraju

8. Knowledge of terms:

   1. Abhinayam

   2. Pratyangam

   3. Upangam

   4. Narthaki

   5. Narthaka

   6. Nayaka

   7. Nayika

   8. Raagam

9. Names and details of composers who wrote:

   1. Ashtapadi

   2. Tarangam

10. Meaning of

    1. Naandhi

    2. Rangapooja

11. Define Khanda chapu taala (demonstrate practically)
    

Practical (100 marks)

1. Ramayana Shabdham

2. Tarangam

3. Kshetrayya padam

4. Dharmapuri javali

5. Slokam from Sri Krishna Karnamrutam

6. Recitation of Jathis with taalam

7. Singing Raagas and Taalas of items

8. Demonstrate variation of steps

Note: Includes previous year syllabus

Level-3

• Certification from PSTU – Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.

• Frequency of exam: Yearly once

• Eligibility criteria: 14 years (Recommended 7 years of practice or 16years of age whichever is later)

• Mode of exam: Written theory and practical exam for 200marks will be conducted.

• Syllabus: (Can start directly if recommended by Guru)
  

Theory (100 marks)

Year 1:

1. Origin of dance - According to Natyashastra

2. Definitions: Nrtta, Natya, Nrutya, Tandava, Lasya, Patra, Apatra, Kinkini & Sabha

3. Sapta tala slokam and its description

4. Asamyutha Hastas and viniyoga

5. Padakarma

Year 2:

1. Evolution of Classical dance

2. Samyutha hastas and viniyoga

3. Chathurvidha abhinaya

4. Dwadasa Hastha Prana

5. Slokas

   1. Angikam bhuvanam

   2. Gurubhrama

   3. Sabhakalpa

6. Siro and Drishti bhedas

7. Siddhendra yogi and Narayana Theertha
   

Year 3:

1. History, Origin, Evolution and Development of Kuchipudi

2. About bhamakalapam, yakshaganam and bhagavatha mela nataka

3. Navarasas

4. Griva and Bhru bhedas

5. Uthama, Madhyama and Adhama Nayikas

6. Definition and Usage of Devatha Hastas

7. Biography:

   1. Tyagaraja

   2. Jayadeva

   3. Vedantam Lakshmi narayana sastry

   4. Vempati Venkata Narayana

   5. Chintha Venkatramayya

   6. 
      

Year 4:

• Characteristics of Sweeya, Parakeeya & Samanya Nayika

• Ashtavidha nayika avasthas

• Dashavathara Hastas & Usages

• Lokadharmi & Natyadharmi

• Life history of Kshetrayya, Ramadasu, Annamacharya and Munipalle Subhramanya kavi

Practical (100 marks)

Year 1:

1. Usi steps

2. Adavulu

3. Chuttu adgulu

4. Chowkam

5. Katharinaatu

6. Mandekoppu

7. Palugudu varasalu

8. Jathis

9. Theermanalu

10. Chinna Vinayka kowthuvam

Year 2:

1. Jathiswaram

2. Janutha Shabdham

3. Ramayana shabdham

4. Krishnam kalayasakhi tarangam
   

Year 3:

1. Ramadasu Keerthana: Paluka bangaramayena

2. Tharangam: Neela megha shareera

3. Kshetrayya Padam: Evade vaadu

4. Dharmapuri Javali: Indhendhu vachithivira

5. Slokam from Sri Krishna Karanamrutham

6. Manduka Shabdham

7. Jathi with taalas
   

Year 4:

1. Dasavathara shabdham

2. Annamacharya keerthana: Vinaro bhagyamu

3. Adhyathma Ramayana Keerthana: Namah Shivayathe

4. Padam: Parulanna maata

5. Slokam: Devi stuti

6. Daruvu: Bhamakalapam

Level-4

• Diploma 2year course from PSTU – Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.

• Frequency of exam: Yearly once

• Eligibility criteria: Completion of certificate exam from any recognized university. (Recommended 10 years of practice or 19 years of age whichever is later)

• Mode of exam: Written theory and practical exam for 200marks will be conducted.

• Syllabus:
  

Year 1:

Theory (100 marks)

1. Chari and Mandala Bhedas according to Natyashastra

2. Definition and usages of Bandhavya, Navagraha & Chathur varna hastas according to Abhinaya darpanam

3. Compare Asamyutha, Samyutha and Nrtta Hastas of Natya shastra and Abhinaya darpanam.

4. Explain in detail Bhava and Rasa-Prakarana from natya sastra

5. Explain Lokadharmi and Natyadharmi

6. Explain the history, development and significance of kuchipudi dance

7. Explain about eminent Kuchipudi Gurus:

8. Chintha Krishnamurthy

9. Vedantham Jagannadhasharma

10. Bhagavathula Ramakotayya

11. Vempati Pedasatyanarayana

12. Mahankali Suryanarayana and their contribution in development of this art form.

13. Introduction of Natyashastra

14. Aharya of Male and Female characters in Kuchipudi

Practical (100 marks)

1. Adhtapadi

2. Prahalada pattibhisheka shabdham

3. Balagopala tharangam

4. Kshetrayya padam - Raa raa na swami

5. Kshetrayya padam - Nannu kanulu moosi

6. Javali - Apadhaku lonaithine

7. Thyagaraja keerthana- Ksheera sagara sayana

8. Thillana- Hindollam

9. Telugu padyabhinayam- from any kavya

10. Slokabhinayam of Vishnu, Shiva and Devi stuti

Year 2:

Theory (100 marks)

1. Purva Ranga - Ranga puja ( According to Natyashastra)

2. Nayika Prakarana - Various Nayakas, Ashtavidha Nayika avasthas

3. Explain

   1. Marga, Desi and their differences

   2. Vritti, Pravrithi- A detailed study

4. Importance of Aharya in Kuchipudi Yakshagana and explain Satyabhama's Aharya specially her jada

5. Explain the importance of music in kuchipudi dance.

6. Siddhendhra yogi has been attributed as the founder of Kuchipudi tradition. Ascertain it with the help of the biography of Siddhendra yogi and his Bhamakalapam

7. Classical aspects of Kuchipudi dance form, its music and literary aspects.

Practical (100 marks)

1. Mandodhari Shabdham

2. Padyam- Bhakta pothana: Nallani vaadu

3. Tharangam: Neela megha shareera

4. Bhamakalapam:

   1. Daruvu: Pravesha

   2. Padyam: Raave madhavi

   3. Daruvu: Siggayenoyamma

   4. Daruvu: Madhana

5. Annamacharya Keerthana:

   1. Vinaro bhagyamu

   2. Kulukaga nadavaro

6. Ramadasu keerthana: Paluke banagaramayena

7. Aadhyatma ramayana keerthana: Cheri vinave souri
   

Level-5

• Full time 2 year M.P.A course from University of Hyderabad | India's Institution of Eminence (uohyd.ac.in) upon completion of Diploma from recognized university.

• Frequency of exam: Yearly, entrance exam must be written.

• Eligibility criteria: Completion of diploma exam from any recognized university. (Recommended 15 years of practice or 22 years of age whichever is later)

• Mode of exam: Written theory and practical exam for 200marks will be conducted.

• Syllabus:
  

MPA.pdf

Download PDF • 464KB

• You can also apply for Doordarshan grade artist from the age of 18years.

This is the end of the article.

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