सप्तकम्
SAPTAKAM
Welcome to the world of Music
History of Indian classical dance
Dancing is the natural expression of human feelings. It is a rhythmic movement of body in pace with the music accompanied. Many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, etc use dance postures in the shrines, which itself depicts the importance of dance in worship.
The Indian clasical Dance has a story of its own about its evolution. Lord Indra was worried about the people who were drifting away from the right path. He consulted Lord Brahma to overcome his worries. Lord Brahma said that the four Vedas- Rigveda,Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda- were created for the sake of man's wisdom. Lord Indra was not at all satisfied and insisted upon having a fifth Veda, which was pleasing to the eye and ear as well as constructive and entertaining. Lord Brahma made out a fifth veda- the Natyasatra- out of the four vedas in which he used speech from the Rigveda, music from the Samaveda, expression from the Yajurveda and Rasa potrayal from the Atharvaveda. He taught Natyasastra to Sage Bharata and ask him to propagate it on earth.
The dance heritage of India is at least 5000 years old. A dancing girl figurine was found in the ruins of Mohenjodaro and is dated approximately 2nd Century B.C. Many group dancing sequencesare depicted in exquisite rock paintings of Bhimbetaka caves of Madhya Pradesh. The apsaras (Celestials) dancers are carved at the gateways of Sanchi. The wall paintings of Ajantaand Ellora, the sculptures of Khajuraho, the temple walls of Hoysaladynasty, stand ample evidence for popularity of Indian dances from ancient times.
Dance in Indian Society
Shiva, the Lord of dance is said to have created the Universe with hisAnanda Tandavam,or the dance of joy. It is He we see dancing in the rise and the fall of the waves in the oceans, in the volcanoes and the earthquakes, in the rotation of the planets and the stars, in the lighting and the thunder. All movements within this cosmos is said to be His dance.
Nataraja, the dancing Lord Shiva, is the supreme manifestation of Indian dance. The moon which he adorns in his head is the symbol complete control of senses. The serpents wound around his body is the proof of his complete control over vital life forces. His foot raised high over the wicked demon, a symbol of triumph over the ego.
The Indian dances have sprung from the religious urges of her people. Its thematic contents are based on the rich mythological lore of the country. The dance technique is based on a few ancient treatises, like the Natya Shastra of sage Bharata, which were written nearly two millennia ago. The Indian dances consists of three distinct types. "Nritta" is pure and simple dance with movements of body and limbs. "Nritya" is linked with facial expressions, hand gestures and symbolic body poses. Through facial expressions nine emotional moods or Natya -Rasa can be depicted. They are Raudra( Anger),Bhayanaka(fearful), Shringara(erotic mood), Veera(valour), Hasya(humour), Karuna(pathos),Adbhuta(wonder), Beebhatsa(disgust) and Shanta(peace).
"Natya" has the elements of a drama which is introduced through the use of spoken world. All the types involve the use of "mudras", which are well developed types of gestures during the dance. The dancers use their entire body to communicate with the audience.
The major Indian classical dances are: Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kathak and Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Mohini Attam. In addition, there are innumerable folk and tribal dances spread all over the country.
Enjoy reading,
Dhanyabadante,
Sohini Chatterjee
