|
Nataraj - God of Dance
Kathakali
|
|
|
Dance:
India has a wealth of dances ranging from folk to classical. Classical dance is made up of
three components : natya - the dramatic element of
the performance, nritta - often referred to as
pure dance and nritya - the element that
suggests rasa (sentiments) and bhava (mood), conveyed through gestures and facial
expressions.
The different forms of Classical Dances:-
|
 |
Bharata Natyam:
Also known as ‘Dasi Atam’ this is ‘lasya’ in character and as such, its exponents have generally
been women.
Kathak: Combines
Hindu and Muslim
influences and is both lasya and tandav (thus attracting male
and female dancers).
Kathakali: Unmistakably tandav, Kathakali is, in its present form, a relative new comer, having been
commissioned by a 17th century Kerala royal. Dancers are traditionally male and stories
are usually based on the epics.The make-up and costumes leave a really lasting impression.
Manipuri: Originating in Assam, its slow, swaying rhythm
makes Manipuri a distinctly lasya dance form.
|
Kuchipudi: A dance-drama created in the 17th century this
became the prerogative of Brahmin boys from the Andhra Pradesh village it takes its name from.
|
Music:
Classical music in India traces its roots back to Vedic times. Over the millennia
classical music has been shaped by many influences and the legacy today is Karnatic ( characteristic of South India) and Hindustani (the classical
style of North India). Both Karnatic and Hindustani are performed by
small ensembles comprising about half a dozen musicians and both have many instruments in
common. The typical Indian instruments are veena, tamburu, chitravina, nagaswaram, vridangam (Karnatic) sithar, sarangi, dhrapad, tabala (Hindustani).
|
|
|
