Indian Classical Dance Flashcards
How many traditional schools of Classical Dance is there ?
8
Where was the first formal mention of dance made ?
Natya Shastra
According to the story Brahma created a fifth Veda called ?
Natya Veda
What was borrowed from Rig Veda ?
Pathya (Words)
What was borrowed from Yajur Veda ?
Abhinaya (Gestures)
What was borrowed from Sam Veda ?
Geet (Music)
What was borrowed from Atharva Veda ?
Rasa (Emotions)
What does Shiva’s Tandava dance indicate ?
Cycle of creation, preservation and destruction
Who wrote Natya Shastra ?
Bharata Muni
What are the two basic aspects of Indian classical dance ?
Lasya
Tandava
What does Lasya symbolic of ?
Feminine
What does Lasya indicate ?
Grace, Bhava
Rasa
Abhinaya
What does Tandava indicate ?
Male Aspects
Rhythym, movement
What is Nandikeshwara’s famous treatise called ?
Abhinaya Darpan
How many basic elements does Abhinaya Darpan break dance into ?
3
What are the 3 basic dance elements in Abhinaya Darpan ?
- Nritta
- Natya
- Nritya
What is Nritta ?
Dance without expression or mood
What is Natya ?
Dramatic representations
What is Nritya ?
Sentiments and emotions evoked through dance
How many emotions (rasas) are there ?
9
Name first three rasas
- Shringaara
- Roudra
- Bibhatsa
Name next three rasas
- Veera
- Shaant
- Haasya
Name last three rasas
- Karuna
- Bhayanak
- Adbhuta
What is Shringaara ?
Love
What is Roudra ?
Anger
What is Bibhatsa ?
Disgust
What is Veera ?
Heroism
What is Shaant ?
Peace
What is Haasya ?
Laughter
What is Karuna ?
Tragedy
What is Adbhuta ?
Wonder
What is a mudra ?
Hand gesture
How many fundamental mudras are there ?
108
What was the solo dance of temple dancers in Tamil Nadu called ?
Sadir
What was the name of dancers who performed Sadir ?
Devadasi
What is Sadir also called ?
Dashiattam
Which prominent freedom fighter helped in reviving Sadir ?
E Krishna Iyer
Name any one prominent dancer of Sadir ?
Rukmini Devi Arundale
In the early 19th Century, how many dance teachers were there in Thanjavur ?
4
Which dance is Bharatnatyam close to ?
Sadir
What is Alarippu ?
Dance with rhythmic syllables
What is Alarippu meant for ?
Get blessings of God
What is Jatiswaram ?
Nritta component,
No expressions.
Only poses and movements
What is Shabdam ?
Includes Abhinaya, dramatic element
What is Varnam ?
Nritya component
Dance + emotions
What is Varnam synced with to tell the story ?
Raag and Taal
What is Padam ?
Mastery over Abhinaya
What is Jawali ?
Short Love lyrics at fast tempo
What is Thillana ?
Concluding stage of Nrittaa
According to the 4 teachers of Tanjore, what are the first 4 elements of Bharatnatyam recital ?
1.Alarippu
2,Jatiswaram
3.Shabdam
4.Varnam
What are the remaining 3 elements of Bharatnatyam recital ?
- Padam
- Jawali
- Thillana
Who were the 4 Tanjore teachers ?
Chiniah
Ponniah
Vadivelu
Shivanandam
What was Bharatnatyam also known as ?
Tanjore Natyam
Which element of nature is Bharatnatyam related to ?
Fire Dance
Does Bharatnatyam emphasise Tandava or Lasya ?
Equal
What is one of the principal mudras of Bharatnatyam ?
Kataka Mukha Hasta
Name any one famous Bharatnatyam dancer
Yamini Krishnamurthy
Which state did Kuchipudi originate from ?
Andhra Pradesh
Who originally performed Kuchipudi ?
Group of actors
After the advent of Vaishavism, who were the main performers of Kuchipudi ?
Male Brahmins
Where did male Bramins perform Kuchipudi ?
Temples
What was a central theme of Kuchipudi ?
Bhagavat Purana tales
Which Kingdom patronised Kuchipudi ?
Vijayanagara and Golconda
Who revived Kuchipudi in 20th century ?
Balasaraswati and Ragini Devi
What new features were introduced to Kuchipudi ?
Female participation and solos
Which ras in dominant in Kuchipudi ?
Shringaara ras
How does each principal character introduce themself on the stage ?
Daaru - Composition of song and dance
What is the Nritta part of Kuchipudi ?
Sollakath
What is the Nritya part of Kuchipudi ?
Kavutvams
Which element of nature is Kuchipudi like ?
Earth element
What is Manduk Shabdam in Kuchipudi ?
Story of a frog
What is Tarangam in Kuchipudi ?
Dancer balances pot of water on head
What is Jala Chitra Nrityam in Kuchipudi ?
Dancer draws pictures with their toes
Which kind of music accompanies Kuchipudi ?
Carnatic music - Violin and Mridangam
Name any famous proponent of Kuchipudi
Yamini Krishnamurthy
Which state is Kathakali from ?
Kerala temples
What does Katha-Kalli mean ?
Dance-Drama
Which famous Malyali poet revived Katha Kalli ?
V N Menon
Who patronised V N Menon ?
Mukunda Raja
What kind of troupes generally perform Kathakali ?
All male troupes
What does green mask indicate in Kathakali ?
Divinity
What does red mask indicate in Kathakali ?
Royalty
What does black mask indicate in Kathakali ?
Evil
What does yellow mask indicate in Kathakali ?
Saints
What does white beard indicate in Kathakali ?
Higher consciousness
What is the major theme in Kathakali ?
Good vs Evil
Which dance is also called Ballad of the East ?
Kathakali
Which language is used in Kathakali ?
Manipravalam
Which two languages is Maniprvalam a mixture of ?
Malayalam and Sanskrit
Where is Kathakali generally performed ?
Open air theatre
What marks the beginning and end of the Kathakali recital ?
Drums, Chhenda and maddala
Name any one famous proponent of Kathakali
Rita Ganguly
Which element of nature does Kathakali symbolise ?
Sky
Which dance is also called dance of an Enchantress ?
Mohiniattam
Which state is Mohiniattam from ?
Kerala
Who revived Mohiniattam in 19th century ?
V N Menon and Kalyani Amma
Which God is Mohiniattam inspired by ?
Feminine form of Vishnu
Which aspect is dominant in Mohiniattam - Lasya or Tandava ?
Lasya (Grace, Beauty)
What is the general costume in Mohiniattam ?
White and off-white with Ghungroo on ankles
Which element of nature is symbolised in Mohiniattam performance ?
Air
What is the 40 basic dance movement in Mohiniattam called ?
Atavakul
What musical instruments are used in Mohiniattam ?
Veena, Flute, Drums,
Name any one famous proponent of Mohiniattam
Jayaprabha Menon
Name 4 classical dances of India
- Bharatnatyam
- Kuchipudi
- Kathakalli
- Mohiniattam
Name the other 4 classical dances of India
- Odissi
- Kathak
- Sattriya
- Manipuri
Which caves do Odissi dance originate from ?
Udayagiri-Khandagiri
Whom was Odissi primarily practised by ?
Maharis
Which Jain king patronised Odissi ?
Kheravela
When did Maharis system become defunct ?
Advent of Vaishnavism
What was the variant of Odissi practised at royal courts called ?
Nartala
What were young boys dressed as females in Odissi called ?
Gotipuas
Which posture is innate in Odissi ?
Tribhanga
Who caused Odissi to gain international acclaim in the mid 20th century ?
Charles Fabri
Indrani Rehman
Why is Odissi also called Mobile sculpture ?
Dancers create geometrical shapes with their body
What is Mangalacharan in Odissi ?
Flower offered to Mother Earth in beginning
What is Batu Nritya in Oddissi
Tribhanga and Chowk posture
What does Chowk posture indicate in Odissi ?
Masculinity
What does Pallavi include in Odissi ?
Facial representations and song
What is Tharijham in Odissi ?
Pure dance before conclusion
What kind of music accompanies Odissi ?
Hindustani Classical Music
Which element of nature does Odissi symbolise ?
Water
Which lyrics are used in Odissi ?
Gita Govinda
Who wrote Gita Govinda ?
Jayadeva
Name a famous proponent of Odissi
Guru Pankaj Charan Das
What is the mythological origin of Manipuri ?
Celestial Dance of Shiva Parvati
Which festival did Manipuri originate from ?
Lai Haroba
Why did Manipuri gain prominence in 15th century ?
Advent of Vaishnavism
What is the central theme of Manipuri ?
Krishna
Which king in the 18th century tried to revive Manipuri ?
Raja Bhag Chandra
How did Rabindranath Tagore bring the dance into the limelight ?
By Introducing it in Shantiniketan
Does Manipuri emphasise on Tandava or Lasya ?
Lasya
What is Naga Bandha mudra in Manipuri ?
Body is connected through curves of shape 8
What is a common theme in Manipuri ?
Raas Leela
What instruments are used in Manipuri ?
Drum, pung, dhol
Who’s compositions are used in Manipuri ?
Jayadeva and Chandidas
What are some dances influenced by Manipuri ?
Thang Ta and Sankirtana
Name any one famous proponent of Manipuri
Jhaveri sisters
Which state is Kathak from ?
Barjbhoomi, Uttar Pradesh
Why is Kathak influenced by Persian costumes ?
Mughal influence
Who revived Kathak in 20th century ?
Lady Leela Shokhey
Which style of music is Kathak accompanied by ?
Hindustani music
What does Lucknow gharana of Kathak emphasise ?
Expression and Grace
What does Jaipur gharana of Kathak emphasise ?
Fluency and long, rhythmic patterns
What does Raigarh gharana of Kathak emphasise ?
Percussion music
What does Banaras gharana of Kathak emphasise ?
Footwork and symmetry
What is Ananda in Kathak ?
Introductory item
What is Jugalbani in Kathak ?
Competitive play between tabla player and dancer
What is Padhant in Kathak ?
Dancer recites complicated bols
What is Kramlaya in Kathak ?
Intricate footwork in finale
What is Gat bhaav in Kathak ?
Dance without music
Name any one famous proponent of Kathak
Sitara Devi
Which state is Sattriya from ?
Assam
Who introduced Sattriya in 15th Century in Assam ?
Vaishnava saint Shankaradeva
What does Sattra mean ?
Vaishnava monastry
Sattriya is an amalgamation of which Assamese dances ?
Ojapalli and Devdasi
What is the focus of Sattriya recitals ?
Vishnu stories and devotion
Who performs Sattriya ?
Male monks called Bhokots
What instruments accompany Sattriya ?
Khol, Cymbals and flute
Who composed Borgeets which accompany Sattriya ?
Shankaradeva
What are the two modern streams of Sattriya ?
Gayan Bhayanar Nach
Karmanar Nach
