Performing arts of India Classical and Folk dances.

SUBMITTED BY: MOHIT GUPTA

ROLLNO:CUHP14MBA(TT)09

Kathak

STATE: NORTH INDIA (U.P, RAJSTHAN)

ORIGIN: Derived from the word katha, meaning "the art of storytelling.“

• During medieval rulers and Nawabs, a class of dancing girls and courtesans emerged to entertain the palaces and courts.

• Slowly and gradually Gharanas or schools of Kathak emerged. The Jaipur Gharana and Lucknow Gharana are few of them.

FEATURES:

• It is largely based on episodes from the epics, myths and legends.

• Mime and gestures were perhaps added later on to make the recitation more effective.

BharatnatyamSTATE: Tamil Nadu

ORIGIN: Dance is considered to be over 2000 years old. Several texts beginning with Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra provide information on this dance form.

FEATURES:

• The Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikesvara is one of the main sources of textual material, for the study of the technique and grammar of body movement in Bharatnatyam Dance.

• This dance form is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Kathakali

STATE: KERLA

ORIGIN: word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play”. Mattancheri temple of approximately 16th century depicts the square and rectangular basic positions of Kathakali.

FEATURES:

• The dance aspect of Kathakali consists of pure dance (nritya) as well as mime (abhinaya).

• Kathakali is the only Indian dance form in which the entire body, both skeleton and muscles, down to even the smallest facial muscle are used to portray emotion.

Kuchipudi

STATE: ANDHRA PRADESH

ORIGIN:

• Kuchipudi derives its name from the Kuchipudi village of Andhra Pradesh in 17th century.

• Kuchipudi exhibits scenes from the Hindu Epics, legends and mythological tales through a combination of music, dance and acting.

FEATURES:

It is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi's presentation as dance and drama from others .

• Kuchipudi was not a solo affair and required a number of performers.

• The director (called Sutradhar) played the most important role.

OdissiSTATE: ORISSA

ORIGIN: Archaeological evidence of this dance form dating back to the 2nd century B.C. is found in the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri near Bhubneshwar.

• The magnificent Sun Temple at Konarak, built in the 13th century, with its Natya mandap or Hall of dance, marks the culmination of the temple building activity in Orissa.

FEATURES:

• Odissi is a dance of love, joy and intense passion.

• Odissi too had its origin in the Devadasi tradition.

FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

Gaur dance

STATE: MADHYA PRADESH

FEATURES:

• Gaur dance is popular in the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of South Bastar.

• Men put head-dresses with stringed 'cowries' and plumes of peacock feathers .

• Women ornamented with brass fillets and bead necklaces with their tattooed bodies also join the gathering.

• The men beat the drums, tossing the horns and feathers of their head-gears to the rising tempo that gives the dance a wilder touch

BhangraSTATE : PUNJAB

FEATURES:

– Bhangra is one of the most popular and energetic dances of India. Bhangra is performed by men folks during Baisakhi.

– It is among the most energetic and captivating dances of India and includes tricks and athletic feats.

– During the Bhangra performance the drummer is surrounded by men dressed in lungis and turbans.

Garba

STATE: GUJRAT

FEATURES:

• Garba is the leading dance of women in Gujrat

• The Garba dance is associated with the fertility cult

• The Garba dance is performed throughout nine nights of Navaratri, an autumn festival.

• Women folk come out into the open and dance in a simple and circular motion, in honor of the Goddess Durga.

Hurka Baul

STATE: Uttaranchal

FEATURES:

• The Hurka Baul dance is performed during the cultivation of paddy and maize.

• The name of the dance is derived from Hurka, the drum which is the only musical accompaniment and baul, the song.

• In the Hurka Baul dance the singer narrates the story of battles and heroic deeds, the performers enter from two opposite sides and enact the stories in a series of crisp movements

Brita Dance STATE: West Bengal

FEATURES:

• Brita dance is one of the most popular folk dances of Bengal.

• Usually the barren women of the region perform the Brita dance to invoke the blessings of the Gods so that their wishes are fulfilled.

• Traditionally this dance is performed after a person recovers from a contagious disease like small pox.

• The performers wear a mask, purified by mantras and dances to the accompaniment of a sword.

THANKS