Indian classical dance

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Indian classical dance is a relatively new umbrella term for various codified art forms rooted in Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles, whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC).

Definitions

These are:

Dances performed inside the sanctum of the temple according to the rituals were called Agama Nartanam. Natya Shastra classifies this type of dance form as margi, or the soul-liberating dance, unlike the desi (purely entertaining) forms.

Dances performed in royal courts to the accompaniment of classical music were called Carnatakam. This was an intellectual art form.

For lack of any better equivalents in the European culture, the British colonial authorities called any performing art forms found in India as "Indian dance". Even though the art of Natya includes nritta, or dance proper, Natya has never been limited to dancing and includes singing, abhinaya (mime acting). These features are common to all the Indian classical styles. In the margi form Nritta is composed of karanas, while the desi nritta consists mainly of adavus.

The term "classical" (Sanskr. "Shastriya") was introduced by Sangeet Natak Akademi to denote the Natya Shastra-based performing art styles. A very important feature of Indian classical dances is the use of the mudra or hand gestures by the artists as a shorthand sign language to narrate a story and to demonstrate certain concepts such as objects, weather, nature and emotion. Many classical dances include facial expressions as an integral part of the dance form.

Dance forms

Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight Indian dance styles (see table below), while the Encyclopædia Britannica mentions six recognized schools[1] and other sources state there are eight dance forms.[2][3]

Dance form State(s) of originBharatanatyam Tamil NaduKathak Uttar PradeshKathakali KeralaKuchipudi Andhra PradeshManipuri ManipurMohiniyattam KeralaOdissi Odisha

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Sattriya Assam

A dance style is classical to the extent it incorporates the Natya Shastra techniques. Some of the styles such as Kathak use very few elements found in Natya Shastra. Other art dances yet to be conferred as classical dances, whose theories and techniques can also be traced back to the Natya Shastra[citation needed] are:

1. Andhra Natyam - Telugu art dance2. Vilasini Nrityam/Natyam - Telugu art dance3. Kerala Natanam - Kerala classical dance

Out of the nine recognized dance forms, the only two temple dance styles that have their origin in Natya Shastra and are prescribed by the Agamas are Bharata Natyam and Odissi. These two most faithfully adhere to the Natya Shastra but currently do not include Vaachikaabhinaya (dialog acts), although some styles of Bharata Natyam, such as Melattur style, prescribe the lip and eye movements indicating Vaachikaabhinaya.

Kuchipudi, which also prescribes the lip movements indicating Vaachikaabhinaya, and Mohiniyattam are relatively recent Darbari Aatam forms, just as Kathakali, and two eastern Indian styles, Manipuri and Sattriya, that are quite similar.

Kathak originated as a court dance. Some believe it evolved from Lord Krishna's raas lilas, forms of which have also evolved into the popular Garba-style dances popular in North India and Gujarat. The style gradually changed during the Mughal period under the influence of Persian dance, a major change being straight knees instead of the bent knees used in most other Indian classical forms. Intricate footwork and spins, as well as abhinaya, are the highlights of Kathak.

Currently, Sangeet Natak Akademi does not consider the recently reconstructed dance styles of Andhra Pradesh such as Andhra Natyam and Vilasini Natyam as "classical." Bharatanrithyam, despite being the one most closely following Natya Shastra's precepts, is considered as a variety of Bharata Natyam...

SabhaSabhas are the organizations involved in the promotion of classical art forms in South India. Ganamukundhapriya is one such Sabha that specialises in classical dances. Various events are held each year to celebrate classical dance.

References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica . dance (performing arts) : Indian classical dance . Retrieved 03-11-2010.2. "Indian Classical Dance" . One India. 2009-04-19. Retrieved 2010-06-11.3. Narayan, Shovana (2005). Indian classical dances: "ekam sat vipraah bahudaa vadanti". Shubhi

Publications. p. 5.

Ambrose, Kay (1984). Classical Dances and Costumes of India. Palgrave Macmillan.

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Andhra Pradesh Portal: Dance . Andhra Pradesh Government. Retrieved 2010-11-03.

Further reading

Massey, Reginald (2004). India's dances: their history, technique, and repertoire. Abhinav Publications.

External links

Classical Indian dance at the Open Directory Project

Dance in India

Classical

Bharatanatyam Kathak Kathakali Kuchipudi Manipuri Mohiniyattam Odissi Sattriya Yakshagana

Divine forms

Nataraja Tandava Rasa lila Lasya

Folk

Bihu Bhangra Chhau Giddha Garba Dandiya Raas Ghoomar Ghumura Karma Sword dance Dollu Kunitha

Contemporary

Bollywood song and dance Hindi dance songs Nautch

Literature Natya Shastra Abhinavabharati

Classical Dance of India/RNK Page 3

Mudras

By state

Andhra Pradesh Assam Himachal Pradesh Odisha Punjab Tamil Nadu

Accessories Ghungroo

See Photos in next Pages…

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Summary

Bharata Natyam dancer of Sri Devi Nrithyalaya Bharatanatyam school in Chennai.

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Description Français : Danse Kathak, Sharmila Sharma et Rajendra Kumar Gangani et leurs musiciens samedi 24 Novembre 2007 au musée Guimet (Paris)www.museeguimet.fr/Spectacles,597

Date 24 November 2007, 22:20

Source Danse Kathak (musée Guimet, Paris)

Author Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France

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SummaryDescription English: A Kathakali performer in the virtuous pachcha (green) role at Kochi, India.

Date 20 June 2009 (original upload date)

Source Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Jovianeye using

Classical Dance of India/RNK Page 7

CommonsHelper.

Author Original uploader was Qnonsense at en.wikipedia

Description Kuchipudi Dance Uma Muralikrishna.jpg

Date 29 February 2008

Source Own work

Author Vasanthakumarep at en.wikipedia

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SummaryDescription English: Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.

Date 6 May 2007

Source http://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/486353380/

Author http://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/

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SummaryDescription English: Smitha_Rajan in Ananda_Sayana at Soorya 2008

Date 29 October 2008

Source Own work

Author Edachira

Classical Dance of India/RNK Page 10

Description English: Nandini Ghosal performing an Indian classical dance: Odissi at the Coffman Memorial Union in the University of Minnesota.

Date 4 November 2007, 20:15

Source [1]

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Author Bala from Seattle, USA

Description English: Sattriya Dance of Assam

Date 11 February 2007 (first version); 4 June 2009 (last version)

Source Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Dsvyas using CommonsHelper.

Author Original uploader was Pbthakur at en.wikipedia

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