A dedication to tradition, innovation and fostering each student’s unique talent drives the teachers at Kuchipudi Dance School.
Under the artistic direction of founder Guru Swathi, Kuchipudi Dance School provides Kuchipudi training throughout New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Whether you are young or old, new to dancing or a seasoned professional, Guru Swathi adjusts her classes to suit the age and ability of her students. She has imparted her creative knowledge to over 1500 students in a career that has spanned 35 years.
From their first lesson until their rangapravesam and beyond, students are empowered to find their own strengths and confidence through the art of Kuchipudi. With innovative teaching methods and spectacular public performances, Kuchipudi Dance School provides a space for students to express themselves artistically.
Kuchipudi Dance School carefully balances creative innovation with classical traditions, maintaining the cultural integrity of the classical Kuchipudi style. The Kuchipudi Dance School is devoted to promoting cultural understanding through Kuchipudi and ensuring the legacy of this art form for future generations. Classes and workshops provide physical exercises designed to increase the strength, flexibility and suppleness of the student, as well as a theoretical understanding of the Kuchipudi tradition.
Kuchipudi Dance School is named after the Yogi Siddhendra who tradition says created the devotional dance theater of Kuchipudi. With roots stretching back 20 centuries, Kuchipudi has seen a modern revival and has developed into the vivid and sophisticated art form it is today.
A multi-layered performance, Kuchipudi combines drama, dance, sign language, mime and music to create a vibrant theatrical experience for the audience. Colorful costumes, ornate headdresses, jewellery and make up are also used to convey meaning and accentuate the rhythmic movements and intricate expressions of the artist.
Heavily influenced by the Natya Shastra theory of the classical theatrical arts, Kuchipudi makes full use of the abhinaya, four ways of conveying meaning and emotions to the audience. Angika represents the movement of the body, vachika is the use of speech which is expressed through song and miming words in Kuchipudi. The aharya abhinaya represents the meaning conveyed through the dancers’ costumes and make up. The most technically difficult abhinaya is the sattvika: the true expression of the character’s inner emotions conveyed through delicate facial movements creating an authentic emotional response from the artist and the audience.
Guru Swathi - Founder/Artistic Director of Kuchipudi Dance School
Guru Swathi has spent a lifetime honing her artistic craft to reach the forefront of the Kuchipudi dance tradition. In a global career that spans over 35 years, Guru Swathi’s creative journey has seen her study under some of the great names of Kuchipudi.
At the age of five, Guru Swathi started her training in Kuchipudi and at seven achieved rangapravesam: her stage debut and first step as an artist in her own right. By 16, she was choreographing original performances. Since these auspicious beginnings, Guru Swathi has refined her skills learning from such Kuchipudi greats as Gurus Sri Satya Kumar and Vedantam RadheShyam.
Lauded for her innovative dancing style, exemplary teaching approach and meticulous attention to the traditions and finer details of her art, Guru Swathi is highly revered as a Kuchipudi artist. She has collected numerous accolades throughout her career, both in the United States and internationally, most recently being awarded the title of ‘Nrutya Kala Ratna’ at the 2016 Vamsi-ATA Award. This prestigious award recognizes Guru Swathi’s extensive and outstanding contribution to the promotion of Kuchipudi in the United States.
Guru Swathi’s artistic excellence is showcased through all aspects of her work as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. She has received critical acclaim for her leading role performances in a number of stage productions and is renowned for her portrayal of both male and female characters.
Her career as a choreographer is equally illustrious, having so far choreographed over 80 pieces influenced by the Natya Shastra theory of the classical theatrical arts. Guru Swathi has achieved an extensive portfolio of dancing experience including choreographing and performing in Hari Keertanacharya Annamaya; Siva Ganga; Ayyappa Sheranam; Priyam Venkatesam; Mohini Basmasura; and Geeta Govindam.
As a teacher, Guru Swathi allows her students the space to express themselves artistically. She is focussed on fostering the unique talents of each of her students by providing innovative lesson plans, an empowering environment and the opportunity to perform publicly. This has included contributing, along with her students, to the creation and achievement of Silicon Andhra’s Guinness World Record for Kuchipudi.
Through her work in both the United States and abroad, Guru Swathi seeks to promote cultural understanding through the classical art form of Kuchipudi. Guru Swarthi has showcased her art on the international stage: performing at cultural festivals; collaborating with international artists; touring her choreographic works; participating in community projects; as well as spreading her knowledge of Kuchipudi through her workshops and classes for dancers of all ages and abilities.