INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE (Thread)

Dance art is not just for pleasure, but a means of showing devotion
It is different fromD materialistic, post culture abuses of bollywood

SNA recognises 8 indian classical dance which are explained below
#knowYourRoots
Tell your favourite one.

1.BHARATNATYAM

~Oldest among all classical dances

~Name derived from "Bharat Muni "

~Evolved from' Sagir' performed by temple dancers

~Equal emphasis on Lasya and Tandav

~ Referred as Fire dance( symbolises agni)

Do you know about Rukmani Devi Arubdale??

Elements of Bharatnatyam

~Alarippu ( invocatory dance with rhythm)

~Jatiswaram ( Nrrita-devoid of Expression,includes poses )

~Shabdam (dramatic expression in glory of Lord)

~Varnam ( nritya, emotional)

~Padam( act)

~Jawali( faster tempo)

~Thillana(concluding)

2. KUCHIPUDI

~Stories of bhagwat purana is central theme

~Dancers came to be known as Bhagavathalus

~Patronage of Vijaynagara and Golconda rulers

~involves all three components Nritya,Natya and Nritya

Do you know Radha Reddy and raja reddy?

Features:

~manifestation of earthly elements in human body

~Both Lasya and Tandav are imp

~predominance of Sringar Rasa

~Solo elements-
- Manduk Sabdam (story of frog)
- Jala Chitra Nrityam (drawing picture on floor with his/her toes while dancing

3. KATHAKALI

~derived from katha (story)and kali (drama)

~evolved from Ramanattam and Krishnattam of Kerela

~All male troupe performance

~combination of dance and drama

~Theme -eternal conflict b/w good and evil

~Navrasa are used in facial expressions to convey emotions

Meanings of colour in facial expressions

-Green represent nobility, divinity and virtue

- Red indicates royalty

- Black to indicate evil

- Yellow to Saints / women

- White beard indicates elevated Consiousness

~kathakali Symbolises Akasha

4. MOHINIATTAM

~Dance of Enchantress

~Under Patronage of Travancore rulers

~Footwork is slow ,grace and elegance

~Narrates Story of Mohni Avatar of
bhagwan Vishnu

~Lasya is Dominant

~Represent Vayu ( Air)

Do you know Sunanda Nair??

5.ODISSI

~Caves of Udaygiri - KHandagari Shows earliest ex.

~Mainly practiced by "Maharis" ,Under patronage of King Kheravela

~Mudras similar to Bharatnatyam

~Tribhang Posture is special features

~Symnolises Jala ( Water)

~lyrics of geet govind used

Elements:

~Mangalacharan ( Invocatory offering to mother earth

~Batu Nritya ( Dance - tribhanga )

~Pallavi ( facial expressions)

~Tharijham( pure dance )

~Moksha ( conclusive dance signifying Moksha/ liberation)

~Trikhanda Majura( bowing down to Audience and bhagwan

6. MANIPURI

~Origin goes to celestial dance if Shiva and Parvati ,in valleys of Manipuri along with Gandharva

~Generally performed by Females

~Vaishnavism association

~Emphasis on Devotion rather than sensuality

~Nagbandha mudra representation
.
~RasLeela depictions

7. KATHAK

~Origin from Rasleela of BrajBhoomi

~Jugalbandi between tabla player and dance

~Todas and Tukas

~Padhant,Tarana,kramalaya

Do you know about Birju Maharaj??

8. SATTRIYA

~introduced by Vaishnava saint Sankaradeva,Assam

~derived from vaishvana monasteries known as" Sattaras"

~It Finds mention in Natyashastra of Bharat Muni

~inspired from Bhakti Movement

Features:

~Strories of Bhagwan Vishnu is theme

~includes Nritya Natya and Nritta

~ Generally performed by male Monks( bhokots)

~Male wear Dhoti and Paguri

~Women wear Ghuri and Chador

~Evolved from Gayan Bhayanar and Kharmanar Nach

~Ankia Naat involves drama