The World of Koochipoodi Dance

by Swapnasundari

Koochipoodi enjoys prominence as one of Indian's major classical dance styles. The process of its evolution from a group tradition to the solo form has been marked by significant events, some of which took place around the period of India's Independence. Koochipoodi's journey into the 21st century makes for a fascinating study. This book closely follows the journey and looks at the inter-relationship between Koochipoodi and its co-existent traditions. Through her well-researched work, the author seeks to familiarize the reader with various features of Koochipoodi while providing additional information about little known aspects of this tradition. She examines the nature of various contributions made to it as also its adaptation to individual artistic expression. Rather than present a compilation of specific details about the several gifted Koochipoodi exponents down the generations, she describes the blossoming of this form in their hands.