Indian Classical Dance Forms Bharatha Natyam The Indian clasical Dance has a story of its own about its evolution. Lord Indra was Kathakali worried about the people who were drifting away from teh right path. He consulted Lord Brahma to overcome his worries. Manipuri Lord Brahma said that the four Vedas- Rigveda,Yajurveda, Odissi Samaveda and Atharvaveda- were created for the sake of man’s wisdom. Lord Indra was not at all satisfied and insisted upon having a fifth Veda,which was pleasing to the eye and ear as wee as constructive and entertaining. Bharatha Natyam Bharatanatyam Bharatha Natyam is a South Indian classical dance is a classical form that developed chiefly in Tamil Nadu over Indian dance the past three thousand years. The name Bharatha form originating Natyam was coined in the 1930’s to represent the in Tamil Nadu three major elements of dance in the three syllables India. One of of the word Bharatha - bhava (facial expression), raga (melody), and tala the oldest of the (rhythm). classical dance forms in India, Originally, this art was known as sadi it is also known or dasiattam, and was performed in as the fifth Veda. Hindu temples by female dancers Bharatanatyam called devadasis, or servants of is usually God. Performances were a part of accompanied daily rituals and religious or festive by the classical occasions, where dance was considered to be an offering to the deities. Eventually, this dance form music. made its way into the royal courts, and in the 18th and 19th century Thanjavur courts, Bharatha Natyam developed into its present form. A period of decline in popularity was followed by a revival of Bharatha Natyam in the 1920’s and 30’s, after which it found its place on the modern stage. Bharatha Natyam is known for its rhythmic, vigorous footwork, crisp movements, sculpturesque poses and combining the energy of its Nritta (rhythmic movements) with the emotion of its Nritya (expressive movements). Kathakali Dance The word Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the “attam” means world. It originated in the area of southwestern India enactment. In now known as the state of Kerala. Kathakali, a well- short, these two developed dance-drama, is a performance where the actors depict characters from the epics Ramayana forerunning and Mahabharata and from the Puranas (ancient forms to scriptures). The dancers adorn themselves in huge Kathakali skirts and head-dress, wearing a most intricate style dealt with of make-up. presentation of the stories Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced of Hindu gods with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali Rama and recitals are generally long and while other dance Krishna. forms are more emotive than narrative, Kathakali is both. It combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions. A traditional Kathakali performance begins in the evening and continues throughout the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Manipuri Dance According to Manipuri dance is a generic name and legend, Lord covers all the dance forms of this land. Shiva and his Manipuri lays emphasis in involving the entire body in the dance other than the consort Par- facial expression. The principal dance item vati danced in in Manipuri is Ras, which depicts bhakti the valleys of rasa. The innumerable escapes of Lord Manipuri to Krishna are depicted in Ras. This form of the accompa- dance lays emphasis on lyrical grace and niment of the delicacy of hand gestures. The Chooloms is Ghandharvas another form of Manipuri, which includes to the celestial vigorous tandava items and fast rhythms. light of Mani Choolams involves singing and dancing, directed towards achieving the union of (jewel) from god. In Choolams, Poong Choolam is the head of danced by men holding drums, and Kartal the Atishesha, Choolam by both men and women using a serpant and cymbals in their hands. Lai Haraoba is that is how it another form of Manipuri, which portrays has come to be the creation of universe. called Mani- puri. Odissi Dance Like other The Odissi Indian classical dance form is possibly the oldest classical dance forms of India, form of India, dating back to the 2nd Odissi has two century B.C. Odissi is a temple dance form deeply rooted in Hindu devo- major facets: tion. This dance style from the state pure, non- rep- of Orissa in Eastern India was tradi- tionally performed as a devadasi, or resentational temple dance, tradition. Dances were dance (Nritta) dedicated to Lord Krishna (known as and expression- Lord Jagannath in Orissa). al dance (Ab- With the suppression of Odissi dance hinaya). Fluid by British authorities, this dance style was repressed and virtually movements exterminated except in a few outly- of the torso in ing villages where it was kept alive by gotipuas (young male dancers). The combination revival of Odissi began in 1949 with with the crisp India’s independence. The dance form was regenerated from research of the movements of temples in Orissa where the dance the lower body form was stored in sculptures that de- characterize picted Odissi’s intricate positions and meanings. Odissi. Furthermore, the bent body positions give the Odissi style the distinction of being most closely related to sculp- ture. The music in Odissi dance is a blend of both the Carnatic and Hindu- stani classical traditions of India. Indian Dance Forms From Different States Classical Dance Tamil Nadu- Bharatha Natyam Kerala- Kathakali Manipur- Manipuri Orissa- Odissi March 2010 By: Trupti Parikh Email: [email protected].