Kuchipudi postures | Nrityangana

Kuchipudi, one of the oldest and among the most popular forms of classical dance from India, is known for its intricate footwork, expressive storytelling, and especially its postures. I think we can all agree that on its own, the posture of Kuchipudi stands as a work of art. At Nrityangana, we believe that it is vital to understand the importance of kuchipudi postures, since they are foundational to this expressive dance form. Our postures are not just beautiful to look at, they are also supported by the ancient text on the performing arts, Natya Shastra. Each posture - from the stable Araimandi (half-sitting position), the lovely Alidha, and the striking Pratyālīdham - plays an essential role to show different emotional expressions (bhavas), to express stories (abhinaya), and construct symmetrical images on stage. Posture also goes beyond expression or image, as it is a process of beauty and spirituality where we join body, mind, and rhythm together.

At Nrityangana, we have highly trained practitioners that guide students in the finesse of each Kuchipudi posture while understanding placement, lines, and power in each position. Dancers who successfully learn placement of their postures can begin to find flow between movement, stage presence, and development of memory in sequences. Postures are exercised in a systematic and structured way for all of our students at all levels - beginner learners, aspiring dancers, or advanced practitioners because postures are one of the few ways we embody the character, deities, and stories of mythological tales in our postures. Noteworthy development only happens through consistency, with regular and intentional practice of postures, this will help students further their own individual artistry in more personal ways.