How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? 1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatnatyam. 2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Kuchipudi is distinguished from Bharatanatyam by its unique integration of dance, drama, and vocal expression. A defining feature of Kuchipudi is 'Vachika Abhinaya', where dancers occasionally speak dialogues and sing, adding a theatrical element not typically found in the pure dance (nritta) and expression (abhinaya) of Bharatanatyam. While both forms share common elements like hand gestures and rhythmic footwork, the specific technique of dancing on the edges of a brass plate, known as 'Tarangam', is a hallmark of Kuchipudi, not Bharatanatyam. In Tarangam, the performer executes complex rhythmic patterns while balancing on a plate, often while carrying a water pot on their head. Therefore, statement 1 is correct as it identifies the dialogue tradition in Kuchipudi, while statement 2 is incorrect because it wrongly attributes the brass plate feature to Bharatanatyam.

Sources

1. [1] https://igmlnet.uohyd.ac.in/docs/hi-res/hcu_images/TH10892.pdf