Indian Classical Dances

Question 1

Natya Shastra

Answer 1

• By Bharata Muni, dance defined as complete art
• Lasya denotes grace and feminine aspects
• Tandava denotes male aspects

Question 2

Abhinaya Darpan

Answer 2

• Written by Nandikeswara (5th century BC)
• Three basic elements
• Nritta: dance without expression
• Natya: Dance recital
• Nritya: Sentiment and emotions evoked through dance

Nayaka-Nayika relation : deity and devotee

Question 3

• Also referred to as Dashiattam
• Previously only solo female performers but now popular in male as well
• Traced back to devadasis

Tanjore quarter: Chinnaiah, Ponniah, Vadivelu, Shivanandam

• Often referred as fire dance
• Emphasis on mudras
• Katakamukha Hasta resembles OM
• Ekcharya Lasyam: one dancer playing different roles

Rukmini Devi Arundale, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Lakshmi Viswanathan, Padma Subramaniam, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai

Answer 3

Bharatanatyam

Question 4

• Originally performed by group of actors going from village to village called Kuselavas.
• Formalised by Sidhendra Yogi in his “Bhama Kalapam”
• Monopoly of male Brahmins
• Recited Bhagavata Purana
• Involves difficult foot movements, generally group
• Prominance of Shringara ras
• Every dancer introduces himself with a small composition
• Manifestation of earthly elements

Manduk Shabdam(story of frog), Tarangam(on brass plate or pot), Jala Chitra Natyam(draw pictures while dance)

Accompanied by Carnatic music, generally violin and mridangam

Radha Reddy and Raja Reddy, Balasaraswati, Ragini devi, Indrani Rehman, Yamini Krishnamurthy

Answer 4

Kuchipudi

Question 5

• All male troupe
• Language used is Manipravalam
• Symbolises sky
• Mostly depicts conflict of good and evil

VN Menon, Mukunda Raja, Guru Kunchu Kurup, Rita Ganguly

Answer 5

Kathakali

Question 6

• Dance of an Enchantress
• Solo dance by women
• Prominence under the rulers of Travancore
• Story of feminine dance of Vishnu
• Element of Air
• Atavakul is the collection of 40 basic dance movements

Sunanda Nair, Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, Madhuri Amma, Jayaprabha Menon

Answer 6

Mohiniattam

Question 7

• Caves of Udayagiri-Khandagiri provide evidence of this dance form
• Practised by “Maharis” under King Kharavela
• Young boys recruited and dressed as females called as Gotipuas
• Hand gestures play important role
• Lyrics of Gita Govinda used
• Accompanied by Hindustani Music
• Symbolises water

Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Charles Fabri, Indrani rehman

Answer 7

Odissi

Question 8

• Mythological evidence of Shiv Parvathi performing
• Generally by females
• Rabindranath Tagore brought it back when he introduced in Shantiniketan
• Thangta and Sankirtana are influenced by this dance
• Drum called Pung is intricate element

Jhaveri sisters

Answer 8

Manipuri

Question 9

• Traces origin from Ras leela of Brajbhoomi
• Gharanas : Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh, Banaras
• Intricate footwork and pirouettes

Jugalbandi : Kathak vs tabla player
Gatbhav : dance without music

Accompanied by Dhrupad music

Birju Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi

Answer 9

Kathak

Question 10

• Introduced by Shankaradeva in 15th century in Assam
• Sattras are Vaishavite monasteries
• Group of male monks called Bhokots
• Language Brajvali

Answer 10

Sattriya