Classical Dances of India_Introduction Part1

India is a very large country with variety of culture and dance forms. Each and every dance be it classical or folk is very colorful and has tons of grace. The features that differentiate classical dances with the folk dances are extremely important. Each Classical dance comes with specific grammar and rules and history. May I mention that all the dances have tons of influence of the cultural and economic and social surroundings. The costumes, ornaments, songs, movements are all totally depends on the area of origin. It can very well be concluded that the source of inspiration might have been the same however each and every dance form have adapted in its own way.

Defination of Classical Dance

It implies a set of rules that are rigid, that have developed over a period of time like that of a language and consists of complex techniques. the daily repetition of the same exercise, the surrender to the Guru, the mastery of the body--always monotonous and sometime pain full --- not only serve to conquer the techniques but they also prepare the mind.

Map showing Classical Dances of India and its region

Classical Dance after India's Independence

Classical Dance Forms of India

After the Independence, the government of India understood the importance of promoting the cultural heritage of the country. So the dance forms that were discouraged and pushed back during the British period were allowed to breathe in the open society free of inhibitions. Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1953 was formed and a committee were assigned to dedicatedly work towards the upliftment of the culture of the subcontinent. Odissi, Kuchipuri and Shatriya are very new addition to the list of the Classical Dances of India. In the course of the next few pages we will learn about these Classical Dance forms in detail along with their story of origin.

It is very interesting to know the story of each and every classical dance form in ancient India and also post independence (1947).

Advice : The students of any classical or folk dances of India are to be taught about these dance forms in detail from an early age so that they can be well equipped with the basics of these dance forms. It is advice-able that every student atleast attain few workshops to know more about each of the above style (specialisation in one style is important) to enrich oneself.

Classical Dance Forms of India

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Angalakshana Part 1 - Anga Pratyanga & Upanga

The science of dance was extremely well developed in ancient India. The word Angalakshana refers to the way of moving the body parts. In order to understand the concept and to perform Angalakshana, one has to understand and practice the categorization of the human body. Types of Angalakshanam are written below. We will in-turn look at each of the Angalakshana in detail. Each and every student had to understand and practice this on a daily basis. Only after the mastering these, the Gurus would move towards teaching the students the dance numbers. Anga Pratyanga Upanga As per ancient Hindu practices, a human body or Sharera is taken as an inverted tree where the roots are at the top rather than at the bottom. Both Charaka Samhita and Sushrut Samhita (the first known book on medicines written by Sushrut around 400 BC) talks about dividing the human body into 3 main divisions viz. Anga, Upanga and Pratyanga. Charaka also proved the co relation of spirituality and physical health c

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 3 - Deva Hasta

Deva Mudras are an integral part of learning Indian Classical dance. These mudras are taught at a very early age to the students in order to achieve fluency. Abhinayadarpana talks about deva hastas. These hastas are not only used in depicting Gods and Goddessess during a play or dance, it is also used for sculptures of these deities. Natyashastra talks about how to decorate the stage. Bharata also talks about which corner/ side of stage belongs to which God. This concept is extensively used in Vastu Shastra and Agama Shastra. These are called Deva Hastas and AshtaDikpal Hastas. Sl No. Deity Right Left 1. Bhrama Hamsasya (Chest Level) Chaturam (Facing Upward, chest level) 2. Vishnu Tripataka at waist level Tripataka at waist level 3. Shiva Tripataka (at the side of the ear) Simhamukham ((at the side of the ear) 4.

Natya Shasatra _Slokas

Artist : Shilpi Nandi "The joy of dance can not be explained or taught. It has to be experienced." Following are the first few slokas of Natya Shastra. Pranamya Shirasa Devou Pithamaha Maheswarou Natyashastram Pravaksyami Brahamanaya Duthahrutham I bow my head to Pitamaha (Brahma – the creator) and Maheswara(Lord Siva – the creator of dance) and reveal the science of dance, drama and music (Natyasastra) as it was taught to me by Lord Brahma. (Bharata Muni states) Devadanaam Shirasthasthu Gurunamasya samsthithaha Vakshasthaschaiva vipranaam Sheshethwa niyamo bhaved I seek blesssings and offer prayers( with Anjali hasta ) hands placed above the head for the Gods, at the forehead for the Guru’s, in front of the chest for all the elders and for all others there is no special rules. This is the basic rule for all the Indian classical dance forms of India and is commonly followed in the entire south east Asia. Vishnu shakthi samuthpannae

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 12 - Jaati Hasta or Varna Hastas

Since Pre - historic times, Indian society had a complex, inter- dependent and co operative political economy where each individual had a specific role to play in uplifting the society and human welfare. The caste system in ancient India was followed with precise order and instructions. One can go on and on about the intricacies of the Caste System in India. Many research in modern times have been conducted on the caste systems. For centuries, caste dictated each and every aspect of Hindu life with each group occupying a specific place in the complex hierarchy. Earliest mention of the caste system in ancient India can be found in Manusanhita (1000 years before Christ), a book written by King Manu who ruled South India and have said to migrated to North India. Jaati Hastas are very common in Indian classical dance compositions. While composing a dance drama it becomes very important to depict the characters with the help of these Hastas. These hastas in co ordination of the body

Angalakshana Part 3 - Dhristi Bhedam or Eye Movements and Bhrukuti Bheda or Eye Brow Movement

Drishthi in Sanskrit literary meaning “Vision”. In relation to our eyes it means “sight” or “to see”. The classification of these eye movements are based on how we move the eye balls. In fact we use each of them in our every day routine. Just a matter of identifying with their names. There are eight types of Eye movements given in Natyashastras. 1. S ama : Eye kept still without any movement,Eveness of eye where the eyes are kept still. Usage : Depicting GOD,peace, pride 2. Alokita : Rolling your eye balls in a circular pattern. Usage : Showing fear. 3. Saachi : Looking through the corner of the eyes. Usage : Looking at rivals, competitors, showing shyness. 4. Pralokita : moving your eyes side to side. Usage : taking a peak on someone. 5. Nimilita : It looks like a half shut eye. Here one tries to focus the eye ball towards the heart. Usage : Meditation, sages, showing the meditative state of Gods, Peace 6. Ullokita : Looking upwards. Usage : Showing sky, God,

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 5 - Bandhava Hasta

Bandhava Hasta means the hand gestures that reflects the relationship. These are very important for dance compositions. These are also known as Bandhu Hastas. As per Abhinaya Darpana There are 11 Bandhava Hastas. They are as follow Dampati Hasta : It means married couples.This is denoted with Shikhara in left and Mrigashisya in right hand. Matru : Matru or mother is depicted by holding Ardhachandra in left hand near stomach(turned over) and Samdamsam in right hand. Pitru : Pitru or father is depicted by holding Ardhachandra held near stomach in the left hand and Shikhara in the right hand Sodra : Sodara means Brother. Elder brother is depicted by Myura is both the hands in front of the belly. Younger brother is shown by Mayura hands on both the sides. Putra : Putra or Son is depicted by Shikhara in left and Samdam in right held near the belly and then moved in a circular way. Snusha : Means Daughter -in - law and is depicted by showing Putra hasta and then Mrigashi

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