DANCE OF INDIA

HELLO DANCERS WELCOME BACK TO MY BLOG 

IT'S AANCHAL CHOUDHARY 

TODAY I AM GOING TO SHARE SOME   IMFORMATION 

ON OUR FAMOUS INDIAN DANCE FORMS 

The Indian Dance tradition is thousands of years old and plays an important  part in Hindu culture. In Hinduism all art forms like dance (Natyakala), music (Sangeetakala), painting (Chitrakala) and sculpture (Shilpakala) convey the beautiful and divine side of man. Dance is the most sublime expression of what moves the soul. The Natya Shastra is the oldest literary document about the art of Indian Dance. It contains the knowledge which, according to mythology, was revealed to the great sage Bharata by God Brahma. This comprehensive work, also named the fifth Veda, describes dance, music, acting, aesthetics and sculpture in minute detail. With hand gestures (Mudras), acting and pantomime this sacred art of dancing tells sacred tales from Indian Mythology and fascinatingly describes gods, men, animals and their emotions. 

SOME FAMOUS DANCE FORMS 

1. BHARATANATYAM  (TAMIL NADU)  

Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre written by the mythic priest Bharata. Originally a temple dance for women, bharatanatyam often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.

2. KATHAKALI  (SOUTHWESTERN INDIA) 

Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like bharatanatyam, kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with faces made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses.

3. KATHAK   (NORTHERN INDIA ) 

A dance of northern India, Kathak is often a dance of love. It is performed by both men and women. The movements include intricate footwork accented by bells worn around the ankles and stylized gestures adapted from normal body language. It was originated by Kathakas, professional storytellers who used a mixture of dance, song, and drama. Like other Indian dances it began as a temple dance, but soon moved into the courts of ruling houses.

4. MANIPURI  (MANIPUR)  

Manipuri comes from Manipur in northeastern India. It has its roots in that state’s folk traditions and rituals, and often depicts scenes from the life of the god Krishna. Unlike some of the other, more rhythmic dances, Manipuri is characterized by smooth and graceful movements. Female roles are especially fluid in the arms and hands, while male roles tend to have more forceful movements. The dance may be accompanied by narrative chanting and choral singing. 

5. KUCHIPUDI    (ANDHRA PRADESH)  

Unlike the other styles mentioned, kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India, is highly ritualized, with a formalized song-and-dance introduction, sprinkling of holy water, and burning of incense, along with invocations of goddesses. Traditionally the dance was performed by men, even the female roles, although now it is predominantly performed by women.

6. ODISSI   (EASTERN INDIA)  

Odissi is indigenous to Orissa in eastern India. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures. Based on archaeological findings, odissi is belived to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance, with over fifty mudras (symbolic hand gestures) commonly used.

 

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