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The Rhythms of India Nritya Teacher Program Guide Assembly Date: __________________________________________ Assembly Time: __________________________________________ For Students in: __________________________________________ The Rhythms of India Nritya 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. 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: __________________________________________ 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 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: __________________________________________ Program Description 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. “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 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: __________________________________________ 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. 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: __________________________________________ 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 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: __________________________________________ 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 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: __________________________________________ 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
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