Dandiya RaasDandiya is a folk dance native to the Indian state of Gujarat. The dance isclosely associated with the god Krishna and derives its roots from the Rasa lilaperformed by Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology. Dandiya is native to the East Indianstate of Gujarat where it is an important part of the local culture.
Dandiya is traditionally a part of the Navaratri festival which celebrates thevictory of good over evil.Female dancers typically wear traditional Gujarati attire such as ghagra andcholi. The men likewise wear turbans and kedias.
Although there are different variations, the dance is typically performed in agroup which moves in a circular fashion. The dancers hit the sticks togetheraccording to the rhythm.KuchipudiKuchipudi is a classical Indian dance from the South Indian state of AndhraPradesh. The dance derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram where thestyle originated.
The Kuchipudi style dramatizes storytelling as a part of the dance.Many stories from Hindu mythology have been adapted into Kuchipudi ballets.Kuchipudi first arose during the classical period in India in around 200 BCE.Due to state patronage from the Satavahana and Vijayanagara empires, the danceform flourished from the classical to late medieval periods. Following politicalupheaval and war caused by the arrival of the Deccan Sultanates, Kuchipudi beganto experience a decline.The dance form later experienced a revival following the colonial era andIndian independence. Lead by Vempati Chinna Satyam, the art was refined andsystematized.
Currently, Kuchipudi is an integral part of Telugu culture in the statesof Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where it is the official state dance.Unlike some other forms of classical dance, Kuchipudi is performed by bothmen and women. Special emphasis is placed on posture, footwork, and facialexpressions. Ballets are carefully choregraphed in the style of the Natya Shastra,a Sanksrit text pertaining to the performing arts.Kuchipudi is currently practiced and performed across the world as theTelugu diaspora has grown.
