Bhama Kalapam Kuchipudi Dance

Bhamakalpam is another form of Classical dance in Andhra Pradesh. The entire dance revolves around Satyabhama. She had been the beautiful yet jealous wife of Lord Sri Krishna. Bhama was the original name of that lady, and Kalpam means complaint or jealousy. Bhamakalpam dance drama was innovated by Siddhendra Yogi and has a close relation with Kuchipudi Dance Drama.

Lord Krishna and Radha had an intimate relationship. Bhama, his wife, was always suspicious of Krishna, because of his affair with Sri Radha. Therefore she used to argue with her husband and feel the pangs of jealousy while the thought of Radha came to her mind. The Bhamakalpam dance in Andhra Pradesh actually displays feminine movements in dance. This is known as Lasya. This is antagonistic to the male Tandava Movement. The latter movement is a part and parcel of the Kathakali Dance, another form of Classical Dance in India.

Place of origin and impact of the Bhamakalpam Dance:

The physical vigor of the Bhamakalpam Dance is almost similar to Kuchipudi Dance.

The expressions, movements of the Bhamakalpam Dance owe much to the state from which it originated. Being solely confined to the Brahmans the Bhamakalpam Dance is closely related to the Indian Mythologies. This dance was actually performed by the Kuchipudi Dancers in the 17th century. The religious ardor was earned much later. Andra Pradesh had been a very conservative state. The Brahmins were given the privilege to decide on the social issues. So their decision to restrict the practice of this dance drama was accepted by the others.