Nrtya Tarangini

“Celebrated Kuchipudi scholar Vaggeyakara Vachaspati Vedanth Parvatisam originally authored ‘Nritya Tarangini,’ a comprehensive treatise encompassing traditional adavu (basic dance steps) patterns from various Kuchipudi styles or Banis The text is organized into three parts, aligning with the Natya Shastra’s elements of Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (dance with emotional expressions), and Natya (dance and drama). These sections, named Nritya keli, Nrithya kalharam and Natya Hela, respectively, preserve the original techniques of traditional dance patterns. Within each segment, numerous solo dance compositions are featured, including classical pieces such as Jathiswaram, Swarajathi, and Thillana, alongside compositions that blend pure dance with abhinaya (expressive storytelling), such as Shabdam, Krithi, Padam, Javali, Githam, and Yakshagana. Some of these compositions are the work of Vedantham himself. This book holds immense value for scholars, dancers, choreographers, and students alike, as it serves as a documentary record tracing Kuchipudi’s evolution from its 13th-century origins in the realm of Yakshagana drama to its development into solo performances, dance dramas, and modern interpretations. It has been meticulously translated and transliterated from Telugu into English by Veena Murthy Vijay”