Finding ways to manage school and after-school activities is a reality with which every student has to deal. For me, my experience became even more enriched with the discovery of Kuchipudi dance; a classical Indian dance form known for its beauty and grace, rhythmic footwork, and expressive storytelling. As a school student looking to explore new interests, I started to wonder: What age is a good age to start Kuchipudi dance? Can a beginner learn Kuchipudi? Can an adult learn Kuchipudi? My experiences at Nrityangana, a prestigious Indian classical dance studio, helped answer these concerns while finding a balance between school and dance.
Discovering Kuchipudi: A Dance for All Ages
Kuchipudi is a traditional dance from Andhra Pradesh and is characterized by energetic movements, elaborate mudras (hand gestures) and storytelling. Kuchipudi has a tradition of being learned at an early age, however it is never too late to start. Many dance academies, including Nrityangana, offer Kuchipudi dance for beginners and Kuchipudi dance for adults, and therefore it is accessible to anyone with a desire to learn the dance.
Age to Begin Kuchipudi Dance
Kuchipudi is generally introduced to children starting at four or five years of age, but there is no age limit. Adult dancers can also begin learning Kuchipudi and can develop and progress remarkably with commitment and support. Nrityangana welcomes students of all ages and can adapt classes based on pace and learning objectives.Committed to the lessons and their progression, young and adult dancers can learn and adapt to their own rhythms of development.
My Experience: Balancing School and Dance
As a high school student, my days were filled with classes, homework, and tests and I wanted another avenue for expressing cultural expression. And I was lucky to find Kuchipudi classes at Nrityangana. I wondered whether I may have time for classes, or whether I could continue progressing in my studies; but it was worth exploring.
Flexible Scheduling and Understanding
The flexibility offered by Nrityangana helped tremendously. They had evening and weekend classes, which meant I could commit to attending dance classes while keeping up with school. Knowing that the academy was understanding of students’ busy schedules made it less demanding to commit to a weekly schedule with regular practices.Flexibility is one reason Nrityangana is recognized as a good academy for Kuchipudi dance for adults and beginners.
Building Discipline and Time Management
Juggling school and dance required discipline. I learned to be organized and prioritize my responsibilities while devoting time to both school and practice. The teachers at Nrityangana were always reminding us how important it was to follow a routine. We needed to be consistent with our weekly practice in order to truly master Kuchipudi. I found that the practice actually helped me concentrate and be more productive in school, too.
The Benefits of Kuchipudi for Students
Kuchipudi is a multi-faceted activity that students benefit from as it incorporates aspects of physical fitness, mental focus, and emotional wellness. During warm-up sessions at Nrityangana, I improved my flexibility, stamina and endurance, while taking away rhythmic patterns and choreography that improved coordination and memory1. The expression of Kuchipudi taught me techniques to express emotions through movement, which added to my confidence level on and off the stage.
Beginning a Course: What to Expect
If you are new to Kuchipudi, initial classes at Nrityangana are welcoming and methodical. We engaged in:
- Warm-Ups and Fundamentals: Each class starts with exercises to warm-up the body for dance. We covered the basic posture, footwork, and hand movements (mudras), which are the fundamental components of Kuchipudi
- Rhythmic Patterns: As beginners, we practiced very simple rhythmic phrases in order to develop timer and coordination.
- Expressive Techniques: We practiced how to change facial expressions and gestures to express emotional states in Kuchipudi’s tradition of storytelling.
- Choreography: Once we established a sense of comfort in basic posture, footwork, and mudras, we began learning short dance sequences and gradually developed our choreography to longer dance pieces.
Kuchipudi for Adults: It is Never Too Late to Start
One of the most significant inspiring aspects of Nrityangana is their planned inclusivity. Kuchupudi dance is typically given to adults at the academy. Adults can take on dance as a hobby at any age; it is such a beautiful art form that can enhance well-being and togetherness, regardless of age. Adults also contribute considerable wisdom, concentration, and maturity to the learning process for choreography, because adults generally have greater value for the work and form. It was refreshing to be involved in an academy that has such an intentional striving inclusive environment that welcomes anyone willing to learn and who is encouraged to grow and learn regardless of their profession (e.g., scholar, doctor, engineer, farmer, retire).
Performance Opportunities and Community
Nrityangana hosts performances, workshops, and cultural events regularly. These events enabled me to demonstrate growth, always honing in on the progress I made during my time at the academy, while also expanding my connections with dancers. Performing in front of others in an audience was a meaningful transition that cultivated my confidence and solidified my passion for Kuchipudi.
Tips for Balancing School and Dance
Here are some of the tactics I used to keep everything balanced:
- Create a Schedule: Setting specific days and times for studying and dance practice was critical for me to maintain all of my commitments. I really tried to stick to my plan.
- Prioritize: Decide on the grand of all important tasks that need to be accomplished for that day, and do those tasks first.
- Stay organized: By organizing my week with planners or digital tools, things that I needed to turn in or dance classes became easy to track.
- Talk to your instructors: Most often a teacher or instructors will listen to your dilemma when feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork, etc. Just talking it out and seeking their advice Always helped me feel better.
- Take care of yourself: Rest, eat well, and take breaks to recharge. It’s important to avoid burnout.
Conclusion
My experience during my time at Nrityangana with my practice of Kuchipudi was transformative. The academy allowed for extremely flexible scheduling to move my classes around based on prior commitments that were still important to me. The supportive team of teachers and the community made my experience possible to be a student and a dancer. Remember, there is no “age” you need to be when starting Kuchipudi dance (or any dance for that matter). Just from discovering your mindset towards the discipline and the “right” place to learn and practice your art form. Nrityangana was the right place for me with its teachings, guidance, and support as I explored my relationship with dance and succeeded in my studies.
