Kuchipudi:

Kuchipudi , often performed solo or in groups, preserves tradition while embracing contemporary influences, making it a celebrated and evolving art form worldwide. It is one of the Indian Classical dance belonging to Andhra Pradesh. It was originally performed by a group of itinerant actors known as Bhagavathalu, who would travel from village to village, performing plays and dances based on Hindu mythology. Kuchipudi is not merely a dance form; it represents a rich tapestry of performance art that encapsulates the spiritual and cultural ethos of its region, particularly Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra (c. 500 BCE —500 CE). [4][5][6] It developed as a religious art linked to traveling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs, like all major classical dances of India. [7]