Comparative Study of Chaturvidha Abhinayas

"Kuchipudi" is the name of a village in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. It was a male oriented Natya mela tradition belonging to Bhagavatha mela for a long time and only dance dramas of Mythological themes were performed. Siddendra Yogi, who niched a definite format for this dance form, has been considered as father of Kuchipudi dance tradition.Kuchipudi artists use to perform Veedhi Natakas, Kalapas, Yakshaganas and Dance Dramas in which Natya and abhinaya were dominantly featured. Consequently a solo Kuchipudi repertoire was shaped combining some extracts from the existing dance- dramas and also adding some special choreographed items like Taramgams, Sabdam, Keerthanas, Padams, Astapadis and Javalis etc,. Vedantham Laxmi Narayana Sastri (1880-1940) is the first person to introduce this solo system in Kuchipudi dance Tradition.

Kathakali is an art form from Kerala which has evolved from many social and religious theatrical forms (which existed in the southern region in ancient time). Kathakali is blend of dance, music and acting, dramatizes the stories which are mostly adopted from Indian epics. The dancer expresses himself through codified hasta madras and facial expressions, closely following the verses (Padam) that are sung. Kathakali derives its textual sanction the Balarama Bharatham. Chakiar Kooth, Koodiattam, Krishnattam and Rama- nattam are few of the ritual performing arts of Kerala which have had a direct influence on Kathakali form and technique. In the traditional style Kathakali performances were conducted in the open spacious compounds of temples. A large oil lamp is placed in front of stage and two people hold a curtain called "Tirassela". Kathakali is visual art where Aharya- costumes and makeup suits the character as per the tents laid down in  “Natyasastra”. The characters in a Kathakali  performance are broadly divided in to “Satvika”, “Rajasika” and “Tamasika” types.