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India has a wealth of dances ranging from folk dances to classical dances.
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.
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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.
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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).
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