The Rhythms of India Nritya

Home , Bharatanatyam, Indian classical dance, Nritya

Teacher Program Guide Assembly Date: ______Assembly Time: ______For Students in: ______

The program begins with a brief introduction of India as well as Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, which are South Indian Classical Dances. Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi have two main elements: pure dance (dance that has movements forming decorative patterns but does not tell a story) and interpretative dance (dance that uses expressions and movements to describe the lyrics and tell a story). Both types of dances will be demonstrated. The students will be taught a few movements using various hand gestures and to show different emotions using facial expressions. Following this will be the performance of a story narrated in English using the techniques of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, demonstrating that dance is indeed universal.

Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs at 410-837-7577 or yamd.org Young Audiences/Arts for Learning | 2600 N. Howard St., Suite 1300 | Baltimore, MD 21218 Teacher Program Guide Assembly Date: ______Assembly Time: ______

For Students in: ______

Please pass along the attached teacher program guide to all participating classrooms.

Setup Requirements

 Microphone with stand, if possible

 A small room or backstage area with a curtain

 A good sound system, if possible

Artist Arrival Time 30 minutes prior to performance

Suggested Introduction “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today we will view a performance by two professional dancers who have performed in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States! Please welcome… Young Audiences of Maryland artist NRITYA!”

Inclement Weather DON’T WORRY! Artists will follow school closings/delays, and will work with you to reschedule the performance if necessary.

Young Audiences Contact Number 410-837-7577

After Hours / Emergency Number Call 410-837-7577 and follow the prompts to be connected with a staff member on call.

For Students in: ______

Artist Bio

Inside this guide: NRITYA features Indian Classical dancers Lakshmi Swaminathan and Lavanya Thamire. Lakshmi is the director of Natananjali School of Dance, which was awarded  Artist Bio a citation by the Maryland Governor in 2008 for promoting Asian culture through  Program Description dance. Lavanya is a student of Anuradha Nehru, director of Kuchipudi Kalanidhi, and  Maryland State Curriculum Connectors as a company dancer has performed at venues such as The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center, NY.  Core Curriculum Connectors

 Vocabulary

 List of Resources

 Pre- and Post- Performance Activities

 Discussion Questions

For Students in: ______

Program Description

“I just wanted to thank you for a great assembly. It was informative, entertaining, and fun. I will be sure to pass this along to my colleagues in other schools.” Renae, William Winchester Elementary

For Students in: ______

Maryland State Curriculum Connectors

Fine Arts DANCE 2. 1. a. Historical, Cultural, and Social Context: Students will demonstrate an understanding of dance as an essential aspect of history and human experience. Demonstrate knowledge of the contexts of dances from a variety of cultures. View dances from cultures related to general classroom studies and explain their purposes.

Common Core Standard Connectors

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

For Students in: ______

Vocabulary

 Bharatanatyam: Ancient classical dance form from Southern India

 Namastay: Greeting in Sanskrit (one of the Indian languages)

 Vanakkam: Salutations or greeting in Tamil (another Indian language)

 Hastaas: Hand gestures used in bharatanatyam

 Aramandi: Half-squat position commonly used in bharatanatyam

 Bhaangraa: A popular folk dance from Northern India

 Krishnaa: a favorite Indian mythological figure

 Mayoor: Peacock (the national bird of India)

 Shukriyaa: Thank you in Hindi

 Lowmdi: Fox

 Kavvaa: Crow

 Roti: Bread

 Abhinayaa: Expression

 Bhaava: Emotions

 Nritta: Pure dance that is just pattern of movements and does not tell a story

 Nritya: A dance that uses expressions and movements to convey the emotions in a story

List of Resources

BOOKS

 Costumes of India by B.K. Chaturvedi

 Dances of India by B.R. Kishore

 India 2002: A reference annual. Compiled & edited by Research, Reference and Training Division

 India (Eyewitness Books) by Manini Chatterjee

 India and World Civilization by Singhal

 Indian Classical Dance by Kapila Vatsyayan

 Indian Folk Tales by Mulk Raj Anand Panchatantra by Rosetta William

WEBSITES

 http://www.natananjali.com/Natananjali_School_Of_Dance/Bharatanatyam.html

 http://www.natananjali.com/Natananjali_School_Of_Dance/Videos.html

 http://www.kuchipudidance.org/kuchipudi.htm

For Students in: ______

Pre-Performance Activities  Access students’ prior knowledge of India through class discussion.  Look at a globe/world map and identify India on it. Compare the size of India to the United States. Note the location to the equator and see how this might create different climate than the students experience at home  Learn basic some facts about India. This could be a scavenger hunt through the reference section at the school media center, an internet search, or simply a stroll through an in-class text.  Go through the vocabulary list. Depending on the grade level of students, prepare an activity with the vocabulary list, such as a mobile, crossword puzzle, word search etc. Post-Performance Activities  Describe which part of the program (pure dance, expressive dance, story, folk dance) appealed to the student and why?  Create a story (with a moral) using some of the moves (in particular, the animal movements) learned during the program.  Pick a rhythm or beat (easiest is an eight count beat) and try it in both the fully standing position and the half-squat position. Determine which is easier and explain why.  Discuss the various emotions expressed during the course of the performance and draw pictures of the various emotions—happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger, heroism, laughter, and peacefulness.  Find out how many Indian languages exist and the greeting word in at least five Indian languages, including those learned during the performance.  Use the Venn Diagram Handout: Ask students to discuss the similarities (music and rhythm) as well as dissimilarities (type of music and technicalities) between Indian and other dance styles.

Classroom Discussion Questions 1. How did the assembly/residency help you get a glimpse of India and its culture? 2. Did the program make you want to visit the country? Why? 3. How different were the Indian classical dances different from western classical/popular dance? 4. Describe anything about the dance that you found similar to western classical/popular dance. 5. What three new things did you learn about the country or culture of India from the program?

Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs at 410-837-7577 or yamd.org Young Audiences/Arts for Learning | 2600 N. Howard St., Suite 1300 | Baltimore, MD 21218

Name: ______

Date: ______

Vocabulary Resource Sheet

NRITYA’s “The Rhythms of India”

Bharatanatyam: ______

Namastay: ______

Vanakkam: ______

Hastaas: ______

Aramandi: ______

Bhaangraa: ______

Krishnaa: ______

Gokul: ______

Kaliyaa: ______

Yashodaa:______

Gopis:______

Mathuraa:______

Balaraamaa:______

Abhinayaa: ______

Bhaava: ______

Nritta: ______

Nrtiya: ______

Sample Lesson Plan YOUNG AUDIENCES OF MARYLAND

Lesson Title: The Rhythms of India

Artist’s Name: NRITYA

Teacher’s Name:

School:

Grade:

Fine Arts Standard DANCE 2. 1. a. Historical, Cultural, and Social Context: Students will demonstrate an understanding of dance as an essential aspect of history and human experience. Demonstrate knowledge of the contexts of dances from a variety of cultures. View dances from cultures related to general classroom studies and explain their purposes

Integrated Content Area:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to express a story through dance using culture specific dance moves.

Introduction/ Motivation (10 minutes)

Teacher:

Artist: Introduce her/himself and perform (share) a dance from India which tells a folktale

Modeling (10 min): Select students are invited to join the artist in practicing some of the dance movements

Guided Practice (10 min): All students will practice the dance movements by watching the artist carefully and repeating the movement. These movements then are threaded together to create a story in dance.

Independent Practice (10 min): Individual students are encouraged to take the stage and perform their story.

Vocabulary: Bharatanatyam: Ancient classical dance form from Southern India Namastay: Greeting in Sanskrit (one of the Indian languages) Vanakkam: Salutations or greeting in Tamil (another Indian language) Hastaas: Hand gestures used in bharatanatyam Aramandi: Half-squat position commonly used in bharatanatyam Bhaangraa: A popular folk dance from Northern India Krishnaa: a favorite Indian mythological figure Mayoor: Peacock (the national bird of India) Shukriyaa: Thank you in Hindi Lowmdi: Fox Kavvaa: Crow Roti: Bread Abhinayaa: Expression Bhaava: Emotions Nritta: Pure dance that is just pattern of movements and does not tell a story Nritya: A dance that uses expressions and movements to convey the emotions in a story

Handouts: Vocabulary Resource Sheet NRITYA — “The Rhythms of India” (use previously made Venn Diagram and Indian Dancer coloring sheets)

Resources BOOKS • Costumes of India by B.K. Chaturvedi • Dances of India by B.R. Kishore • India 2002: A reference annual. Compiled & edited by Research, Reference and Training Division • India (Eyewitness Books) by Manini Chatterjee • India and World Civilization by Singhal • Indian Classical Dance by Kapila Vatsyayan • Indian Folk Tales by Mulk Raj Anand Panchatantra by Rosetta William WEBSITES http://www.natananjali.com/Natananjali_School_Of_Dance/Bharatanatyam.html http://www.natananjali.com/Natananjali_School_Of_Dance/Videos.html http://www.kuchipudidance.org/kuchipudi.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unOhfLBIFiE