Vijayawada: Kuchipudi dancers gets a makeover with Kalamkari

Vijayawada: Kuchipudi, the ancient traditional dance form that originated from Andhra Pradesh, has now got a makeover with the Kalamkari fabric. Traditionally, Kuchipudi dancers wear silk saris, but now, local dancers are experimenting by replacing the silk saree with the cotton Kalamkari sari for the ease of dancing.   

Interestingly, both Kuchipudi and Kalamkari have their genesis in Krishna district. 

A trial run of the sari was conducted recently at the department of performing arts at Krishna University, Machilipatnam in Krishna district where Kuchipudi dancers wore Kalamkari saris. 

The dancers were asked to test the cotton Kalamkari fabric to see whether it will be easier to wear while dancing and if it also absorbs sweat, unlike silk. 

“For short duration performances, a Kalamkari sari can be used as it absorbs the sweat properly.  But for long duration performances of 2-3 hours, we will have to check whether a Kalamkari sari can withstand too much sweat and stay stiff and not become too sticky,” Pasumarthy Keshava Prasad, faculty at the department of performing arts, Krishna University, told this newspaper. 

“Based on more trials, silk saris may be replaced by Kalamkari sarees,” he said. 

Pitchuka Srinivas, noted Kalamkari artisan from Machilipatnam, who supplied the Kalamkari saris, was glad that the fabric is being experimented with. 

“We have taken special care of the designs, making them brighter for the Kuchipudi dancers,” Pitchuka Srinivas said.

We feel it’s an honour to be a part of a great dance form such as Kuchipudi which, incidentally, has its genesis in Krishna district itself,” Pitchuka Srinivas said.