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Bharata Natyam

Bharata Natyam is one of the oldest form of dance. This form of dance is based on the ancient text on dance. Bharata stands for BHAva(mood), RAga(music), and TAla(rhythm), while Natyam stands for Nritta. Movement, mime and music are given equal importance in Bharata Natyam. A Bharata Natyam performance is rendered by a solo artist, or a duo, or as a group. Bharata Natyam is poetry in motion. A Bharata Natyam performance involves Alarippu-the invocation of God, Jathi Swaram-a note combination, Shabdam-a combination of notes and lyrics, Varnam-a combination of pure dance and abhinaya, and Thillana-the finale. The costumes used in a performance are elaborate. The dancers dress in specially designed colorful silk costumes and wear head ornaments, necklaces and bangles. Flowers are wound around their long plait.

Originally, this art was known as sadi or dasiattam, and was performed in Hindu temples by female dancers called devadasis, or servants of God. Performances were a part of daily rituals and religious or festive occasions, where dance was considered to be an offering to the deities. Eventually, this dance form made its way into the royal courts, and in the 18th and 19th century Thanjavur courts, Bharata Natyam developed into its present form. A period of decline in popularity was followed by a revival of Bharata Natyam in the 1920's and 30's, after which it found its place on the modern stage.

Bharata Natyam is known for its rhythmic, vigorous footwork, crisp movements, sculpturesque poses and combining the energy of its Nritta (rhythmic movements) with the emotion of its Nritya (expressive movements).


Kathak

The most widely performed dance in North India is Kathak. The name stems from the word katha, a story or fable. This tradition dates back over 2000 years to Kathakas, the wandering bards and minstrels, who traveled from village to village preaching and bringing to life the meanings and messages of the great mythologies and scriptures through song, dance and commentary. During the medieval period, the Moguls brought this dance into the court setting where it became a popular courtly entertainment, and acquired an emphasis on refined grace along with complex rhythmical development.

Modern-day Kathak is a theater art which has the vigor of dynamic footwork and pin-point spins, the subtle movement of the face and hands, blended with the miming of stories of all kinds. Never simply a silent presentation, it integrates the recitation of syllabic compositions known as bols. It is the only classical dance form that incorporates elements from both Muslim and Hindu culture.

Kathak was initially performed in the temples, in praise of the Lord. With the advent of Mughals, Kathak was introduced in the King's durbar, thus moving this art from devotion to entertainment. The influence of the Mughals is evident in the costumes designed for the performance.

Kathak has two major techniques. They are Nritha, meaning pure dance, and Abhinaya, meaning expressions. The predominant styles of the dance are the intricate footwork and rapid pirouettes. The typical Kathak costume resembles the Mughal miniature paintings. This form of dance is performed by both men and women.


Kathakali

Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of southwestern India now known as the state of Kerala. Kathakali, a well-developed dance-drama, is a performance where the actors depict characters from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and from the Puranas (ancient scriptures). The dancers adorn themselves in huge skirts and head-dress, wearing a most intricate style of make-up.

A traditional Kathakali performance begins in the evening and continues throughout the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Today, however, it has been modified for the proscenium stage, and urban audiences can participate in this ritualistic theatre experience in the comfort of a plush auditorium, within the span of a couple of hours.

Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are generally long and while other dance forms are more emotive than narrative, Kathakali is both. It combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.

Kathakali is perfomed with elaborate masks and costumes. The dancers wear huge skirts and headdress, and the make-up is very intricate. Kathakali performances are generally in open air on a stage covered with coarse mats, with brass lamp providing the lighting. The dance is performed to the tune of Chenda, a drum like instrument that produces thundering beats, and the Maddala, which produces a softer and relaxed sound, along with the large bronze cymbal. All these three instruments are used in unison to herald the performance.


Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, in Andhra Pradesh, India. As a classical form of dance, drama and music, Kuchipudi enjoys a unique place among the Indian classical idioms. Kuchipudi grew largely as a product of the Bhakti movement beginning in the seventh century A.D. It was in the 14th century, however, that the ascetic Siddhendra Yogi appeared on the scene and gave Kuchipudi a new definition and direction.

Kuchipudi was originally a male dance tradition. Groups of men traveled from village to village enacting stories from the Hindu mythology. As in Elizabethan theatre men portrayed the roles of women. It is only in the last century that women have been introduced to this art form. Kuchipudi in its present form is the result of the vision of stalwarts like Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Sathyam and the late Vedantam Laxminarayana Shastry.

Kuchipudi is characterized by fast rhythms and fluid movements, creating a unique blend of control and abandon, strength and delicacy.

Manipuri

Manipuri originated in the picturesque valleys of north India. Performed still in temples and religious occasions, inextricably woven into the lives of the people of Manipur, this dance form is very much a living tradition.

This style is multifaceted, ranging from the softest feminine to the obviously vigorous masculine. Dignified grace is to be found in every aspect and the range it offers in technique, rhythmics and tempo makes a Manipuri recital an absorbing and exhilarating experience.

According to legend, Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati danced in the valleys of Manipuri to the accompaniment of the Ghandharvas to the celestial light of Mani (jewel) from the head of the Atishesha, a serpant and that is how it has come to be called Manipuri.

Manipuri dance is a generic name and covers all the dance forms of this land. Manipuri lays emphasis in involving the entire body in the dance other than the facial expression. The principal dance item in Manipuri is Ras, which depicts bhakti rasa. The innumerable escapes of Lord Krishna are depicted in Ras. This form of dance lays emphasis on lyrical grace and delicacy of hand gestures.

The Chooloms is another form of Manipuri, which includes vigorous tandava items and fast rhythms. Choolams involves singing and dancing, directed towards achieving the union of god. In Choolams, Poong Choolam is danced by men holding drums, and Kartal Choolam by both men and women using cymbals in their hands. Lai Haraoba is another form of Manipuri, which portrays the creation of universe. The costumes used in this form of dance are ornamental and rich in colors.

Mohiniyaattam

Mohiniyaattam is a distinctive dance form of Kerala. According to Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, the divine enchantress. Thats how the dance form got its name. This dance-form is different from the other performing arts of Kerala mainly in two respects. Firstly, the dominantly religious atmosphere of the other classical dance-styles is absent in Mohiniyaattam. Secondly, it did not flourish in temple-precincts like Bharathanatyam Odissi, or Kuchipudi.

Wide swinging steps and the swinging movement of the torso from side to side are traits of mohiniattam. Rhythmic variations called 'choll~' based on patterns of rhythm syllables are an integral part of the vocal accompaniment. And this is gracefully rendered by the dancer with beautiful gestures and footwork.

Mohiniyaattam is a dance of sheer enchantment, its purpose being overtly sensual. This classical style was born out of a clever fusion of the highly stylized and male-monopolized Kathakali with the rigid Bharathanatyam. Though it shows deep affinities with both these styles, it has developed as a distinct dance-form with its own personality. Like Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyaattam is primarily intended as a solo dance to be performed by women, and its technical structure is quite similar to the former. At the same time, the great influence of Kathakali movements has given it a much greater dramatic, emotional impact.

Odissi

Odissi is the traditional dance of the state of Orissa. Originally, this form of dance was performed in the temples as a religious offering, by the Devadasis. Odissi is a dance of divine, human, love and passion. The performance is soft and lyrical depicting the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of the popular Hindu God, Lord Krishna. Most of the poses of this form of dance are inspired by the temple carvings of Orissa. The dresses worn by the dancers are similar to the sculptures. The dancers wear colorful costumes and traditional silver jewellery. Elaborate ornaments are worn specially on the hips.

Odissi is based on the popular devotion to Lord Krishna and the verses of the Sanskrit play Geet Govindam are used to depict the love and devotion to God. Odissi presents a synthesis of Lasya and Tandava aspects of the Indian Classical Dance. Odissi dance performance involves a balance between pure dance, expressional dance and a combination of acting and dance.

Odissi is a dance of divine, human, love and passion. The performance is soft and lyrical depicting the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of the popular Hindu God, Lord Krishna. Most of the poses of this form of dance are inspired by the temple carvings of Orissa. The dresses worn by the dancers are similar to the sculptures. The dancers wear colorful costumes and traditional silver jewellery. Elaborate ornaments are worn specially on the hips.


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