Source: India Tour Operator
India, a country of diverse and multilingual land, has been known for centuries because of its rich culture and traditions. Amongst those rich cultures, classical dance has occupied an eminent position in the history of traditions.
Indian Classical Dance or Shastriya Devesh is a term used to describe various classical performances which are found in the roots of Hindu Musical Theatrical Styles, whose theories and practices were derived from the Sanskrit text Natya Shastra. The Sangeet Natak Academy has recognized eight forms of classical dance, that is - Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Sattriya. Let's discuss a few of them.
An Ode To Bharatanatyam
Bharatnatyam is known to exist for over more than 2000 years. Originating from Tamil Nadu, one of the Southern Indian states, it is believed to be the oldest surviving classical dance. It is believed that Bharatanatyam was introduced to Bharata by Lord Brahma. Bharatnatyam was originally performed by female temple dancers and was not brought to the stage to be viewed as a public performance until 1930.
History And Evolution
Evidence of this dance is found in its visual forms, like in paintings, sculptures as well as historical places. Out of the five great epics of Tamil Literature, silappadikaram has a direct reference to this dance form. The temple at Kanchipuram, known as the Shiva Temple has carvings dating back to from 6th to the 9th Century, showing the development of this dance form.
The eastern gopuram of the 12th Century Thillai Natarajar Temple of Tamil Nadu which is dedicated to Lord Shiva has sculptures, depicting 108 poses of Bharatnatyam which is referred to as karanas in Natya Shastras. In Karnataka, Badami caves there is a depiction of lord Shiva's dance posture as Nataraj, popularly known as Tandav dance. The 18 arms of shivas sculpture express various mudras and gestures of Bharatnatyam.
Steps to Bharatanatyam
This dance form was kept alive by Devadasis, who were young girls gifted to Temple priests to get them married to gods. Bharatnatyam is known as Ekaharaya, where one dancer takes many forms and roles. Bharatanatyam follows a very strict pattern of dance style. The first is the invocation song.
The next is alarippu. Which means to adorn with flowers. The next is jathiswaram which is a short dance piece accompanied by musical notes of any raga of Carnatic Music. Also, a solo dance in Bharatanatyam relies heavily on abhinaya or expression which is a core section of nritya. Shabnam is followed by jathiswaram which is adorning the Supreme Or the Divinity.
After shabdam it is the varnam, which is a composition of nritta and nritya, representing the essence of classical form. The performance ends with a Mangalam, which is invoking the blessings of God.
The Grace Of Divinity: Kathak
Kathak is one of the main proponents of genres of classical dance. This form is believed to be developed by traveling bards or kathakaars. These kathakaars used to narrate legendary stories via music, dance, and songs. This genre of classical dance developed during the bhakti movement as a theistic devotion to God.
The kathakaars communicate the legendary stories through dance, expression, eye movements, and rhythmic foot movements. Their stories are generally based on great epics or mythologies taking through the narrative of Lord Krishna's life instances. Kathak became quite popular in the courts of North India. Presently there are three popular gharanas of kathak namely Lucknow Gharana, Benaras Gharana, and Jaipur Gharana.
Looking At The History Of Kathak Through The Lens Of Books And Sculpture
The roots of this dance form trace back to the Sanskrit Hindu text on performing arts known as Natya Shastra. This book is primarily known to be written by Bharat Muni. Some say that the first full written book was done between 200 BCE to 200 CE but some argue that the complete text was found between 500 BCE to 200 CE. In Madhya Pradesh's Bharhut village in Satna District, the 2nd CE BC panels found there have sculptures of dancers with arm postures that resemble kathak, many of them with the pataka hasta mudra.
The term kathak came from the word Katha which means story and kathaka which means who tells a story. During the bhakti movement, the kathak predominantly focused on lord Krishna and his eternal love Radha which also finds its mention in texts like 'Bhagavata Purana' which were spectacularly performed by Kathak artists.
Resemblance To Devotion And Rasas: Odissi
Odissi, another form of classical Dance originated or finds its root in Orissa which is a state in eastern India. It is celebrated as sensuality and lyricism and emphasis on bhakti bhava which is surrender and devotion. The Natya Shastra which claims all kinds of performing arts, specifically classical dance, also tells about the Odra-Magadhi style of dance which is a precursor to Odissi.
Archaeological evidence of this dance form dates back to the 2nd Century BC which dates back to the caves of Udayagiri and Khanda Giri. The luminous sun temple at Konark, with its natya mandap of Hall Of Dance, adds to the aura of the temple. The dance movement carved in stones continues to inspire the Odissi dancers even today.
Historic Aspect
The maharanis were the actual proclaimers of this dance. This maharis started to be patronized by the royals which resulted in the degeneration of this dance form. Around this time a group of boys was trained in this dance form known as gotipuas. The gotipuas used to dance in temples and also for general entertainment. Many of the gurus are a part of this gotipuas tradition.
The basic techniques of this movement are built around chowk and tribhanga. The chowk represents masculinity and the tribhanga represents femininity. In addition to various leg movements, there are many jumps and other movements inspired by the sculptures. These movements are known as bhangis, as they are called to be movements of the unit ending on a note of a particular posture.
Written By - Riya Upadhyaya
Edited by - Kritika Sharma
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