Learn Types of Dance
The dance heritage of India is at least 5000 years old. A dancing girl figure was found in the ruins of Mohenjodaro and is dated approximately 2nd Century B.C. Many gro updancing sequences are 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 Ajanta and Ellora, the sculptures of Khajuraho, the temple walls of Hoysala dynasty, stand ample evidence for popularity of Indian dances from ancient times.
Through the centuries the dances have been used as a vehicle of worship and expression of emotions in India. The temple dancers (Devadasis) have led a very austere lives in order to perform sacred dances to please Gods and Goddesses. The Devadasi system is still prevalent in some states of India. In Karnataka they are dedicated to the Goddess Yellamma of Savadatti. In Orissa, they are appointed to perform various activities of the temple.
The Portuguese traveler, Domingo Paes visited the Vijayanagar kingdom in 1520-22 A.D. and has left behind a vivid description of the dancers he saw in the kingdom. His original chronicles have been preserved in the Bibliotheque nationale de France, in Paris. He visited special dancing halls where young female dancers were given intensive training. The walls were decorated with paintings depicting various dancing poses which helped the dancers to correct their steps. The king, Krishna Devaraya himself took very keen interest in their dance education and periodically visited these halls. During the Navaratri festival celebrations the dance performances were given great importance. The dancers were adorned with innumerable ornaments, made out of gold, pearls, and diamonds. "At times the jewelry they wore use to be so heavy that the dancers were supported by the other women who accompany them".
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. "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.
Dance is the primeval suppressions of joy and wonder in any part of the world. Transcending barriers of culture and devesiopment dance as a structured entity was essentially part of the devotional process when combined with song and story dance. Performing artists can be divided in to three major categories Dancers , musicians and dramatists classical dancing in India is deeply religious and spiritual in content compared to those which are danced on more trivial ,yet happy occasion. Indian has to its credit for classical and folk dance. This is often true of folk dances also of the various classical dance forms in the country the more popular ones are Bharatnatyam, India has seven classical dances kuchipudi odissi, kathak and Kath kali. Mohiniattam Manipuri .
Indian classical dance is very complex. This is truth is that a correct and a graceful step or expression can be perfected only after many years of rigorous training and practice .it is truth of all classical dances forms of India Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance discipline and have strict rules of presentation.
Indian dance attained cultural heritage and tradition having its own Individuality and dignity.
The south of India is the land of ancient Hindu traditional and culture Bharat natyam is the dance mainly TamilNadu. it usually danced by a solo woman dancer . its songs are purely devotional love song the dancer being the devotee and god ,the beloved. It has derived its name from the three words Bhava+Raga+Tala i.e. Bharat Natyam and also since it is based on Bharat’s Natyashastra, it is named Bharat Natyam the meaning of Bharatas as a combination of Bhava (expression ) ,Raga (musical mode)and Tala (rhythm)
When the folks assemble together and dance in joy, it is know as folk dance . it is usually performed during religious festival and social gatherings. It is the main form of entertainment of villagers in villages. As it is connected with natural beauty, it is simple, vigorous and brings out the inner happiness. Among these folk arts , folk dances enjoy the forest position as it is satisfying to the human eye , ears and the mind .
The main factor for the creation of dance is love, battle and religion. Whether it is classical dance or folk dance ,India is a wide country with a variety of culture, dress and food. So we have a verity of folk dance music and costumes. , they sing and beat the drums and inspired by this hypnotic music . some of the folk dances of India are Ras-garba- Gujarat, Bhagra-Punjab, lavni and koli-maharastra, Kummi and kollattam- Tamil- nadu, kaikotikali- kerala, Ghumar -Rajasthan, bamboo dance-Assam
Each state has different percussion instruments and very different rhythms and costumes, And folk dance.
We have batches of duration in a one year up to seven year in a classical dance and the folk dance batches of duration in one month up one year
