CLASSICAL & FOLK DANCES IN INDIAN CULTURE

Palkalai Chemmal, Yogacharya Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY, MD (AM)Chairman & Hereditary Trustee

Yoganjali Natyalayam & ICYER, Pondicherrywww.rishiculture.org

INTRODUCTION Dance in India comprises the varied

styles of dances and as with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local traditions and also imbibed elements from other parts of the country.

These dance forms emerged from Indian traditions, epics and historical-mythology.

INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES

Sangeet Natak Akademi, recognizes EIGHT distinctive traditional dances as Indian Classical Dances.

These are: Bharatanatyam- TN Kathak- UP Kathakali- Kerala Kuchipudi- AP

Manipuri-Manipur

Mohiniyattam -Kerala

Odissi –Odisha Sattriya -Assam

OTHERS… Folk dances are numerous in number and style,

and vary according to the local tradition of the respective state, ethnic or geographic regions.

Contemporary dances include refined and experimental fusions of classical, folk and Western forms.

In modern times, the presentation of Indian dance styles in films (Bollywood dancing) has exposed the range of dance in India to a global audience.

HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY In India all forms of art have a sacred

origin and the inner experience of the soul finds its highest expression in music and dance.

Lord Shiva as Nataraja is its manifesting principle. Shiva manifests Tandava (masculine form) Parvati manifests Lasya (feminine form).

Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpana tells us that, Lord Brahma created dance upon request of the Gods and it became known as the fifth Veda, open to all, irrespective of caste and creed.

CREATION OF NATYA VEDA Prior to the creation of the Natya Veda, Brahma

entered a Yogic trance and.. He drew literature from the Rig Veda, Song from the Sama Veda, Abhinaya or expression from the Yajur Veda and Rasa or aesthetic experience from Atharva

Veda. These aspects are the four main constituents of

the Natya Veda.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NATARAJA Dance of Shiva is the dance of life as

it represents all functions of Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer.

Abhaya & varadha hastham instill courage and bless with benevolence

Damaru & agni hastam represent creation & dissolution.

The upraised left foot represents blessing bestowed by the Lord and under the right foot is Muyalagan, which signifies triumph over ego.

FOLK DANCES OF INDIA Significant in rural areas as an expression of

daily work and rituals of village communities. Have their roots in religious and seasonal

festivals. They are mostly performed in groups. Every state has its own folk dance forms like Kolattam, khummi, pambattam, puliattam,

karagattam, oyilattam, bommalattam, poikal kudirai attam and theru koothu in Tamil Nadu;

Bedara Vesha & dollu kunitha in Karnataka;

Garba, gagari & ghodakhund in Gujarat; Kalbelia, ghoomar & rasiya in Rajasthan; Neyopa & bacha nagma in Jammu and

Kashmir; Bhangra & giddha in Punjab; Bihu dance in Assam; Chau, goti pua & ghumura in Odisha; Lavani in Maharastra

and likewise for each state and smaller regions in it.

TAMILNADU FOLK DANCE

YAKSHAGANA - A FORM OF OPERA A classical dance drama popular

in Karnataka. Traditionally start late and run all night.

Has music, songs, dance, acting, dialogue & unique costumes.

The tala patterns are similar to classical forms while acting & dialogues are created spontaneously on stage.

This combination of classical & folk elements makes it unique.

BHARATANATYAM Seamless blend of nritta & nritya (natyam)

Nritta is rhythmic movement of the body in dance. It does not express any emotion.

Nritya comprises Abhinaya, depicting Rasa (sentimental) and Bhava (mood) expressed through the eyes, hands and facial movements.

BH, RA, TA = Bhava – Raaga - Taala

ABHINAYA

“Abhi” means “towards” – with the root “Ni” meaning “to lead”- (audience and performer) towards a particular state of being or feeling.

Four aspects namely: Aangika: expression through body

(sharira), face (mukha) and movement (cheshta).

Vachika: through words, literature and drama;

Aahaarya: through decorations of make-up, jewellery & costumes

Saathvika: acting out and manifesting different state of the mind & feelings.

“angikam bhuvanam yasya vachicam sarva vangmayam aharyam chandra taradi tam

vande satvikam shivam”

We bow to Him the benevolent One, whose limbs are the world, whose song

and poetry are the essence of all language, and who is adorned with the

moon and the stars.

POSTURES - BHANGAThere are four types of body depicted in Shilpa Shastra with artistic deviations of the body from the central erect position:

Abhanga: a slightly askew standing position.

Samabhanga : equal distribution of body limbs on a central line, whether standing or sitting.

Atibhanga: great bend with torso diagonally inclined and knees bent.

Tribhanga: triple bend with one hip raised, torso curved to opposite side and head tilted at an angle.

MUDRAS - GESTURES OF INTER, INTRA AND TRANSPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Hastha Mudras - hand gestures are a very highly developed aspect of the art and are a science of communication with the Divine.

They mime meaning of songs, convey deeper feelings, bring out inherent qualities and invoke the Divine

Classified as Asamyutha Hastha (single hand gestures)-

28 and Samyutha Hastha (double hand gestures)-

24. Each Hastha has defined usage called Viniyoga as codified in the Natyashastra.

Asamyutha Hastha (Single Hand Gestures)

pataka tripatakordhapataka kartareemukhaha

mayurakyordhachandrashcha arala shukatundakaha mushtishcha

shikarakyashcha kapitha katakamukhaha suchee chandrakala padmakosha sarpashirastata mrugasheersha

simhamukho langulasolapadmakaha chaturo bramarashchiva hamsasyo

hamsapakshakaha samdamsho mukulashchiva tamrachooda trishoolakaha

Samyutha Hastha (Double Hand Gestures)

anjalishcha kapotashcha karkata swastikastatha

dolahastha pushpaputaha utsanga shivalingakaha katakavardhanashchiva kartaree swatikastata shakata shankha

chakrecha samputa pasha keelakau matsya koorma varahashcha

garudonagabandakaha khatwa bherundakakhyashcha avahitastathivacha

NAVARASA- EVOKING THE NINE EMOTIONAL ATTITUDES

Shringara (erotic love),

Haasya (humour & laughter),

Karuna (compassion),

Roudra (anger),

• Veera (heroism), • Bhaya (fearful

terror), • Bheebatsa

(disgust), • Adbhuta (awe) and • Shanta

(peacefulness). • Emotional catharsis – cleansing negative aspects of

emotions and sublimation for higher emotions of Divine Bhakti.

• A type of psychological preventive therapy – helps develop positive emotional intelligence.

NATYA KARANAS Part of the traditional Bharatanatyam

repertoire. 108 Natya Karanas described in Natya

Shastra. Not only particular poses as is commonly

believed, but also are cadences of movements.

Geometric shapes are created with Angas (limbs)

Evidence of Natya Karanas - sculptures and paintings in Gopuram walls, ceilings & courtyards of our ancient temples, especially in Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Tiruvannamalai

These stances are very similar to Yoga Asanas.

Extensive research on Natyakaranas by Padmabhushan Dr Padma Subramaniyam.

In Pondicherry by Ammaji, Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani through Yoganjali Natyalayam

Yoga Asanas that are similar include dhanura, chakra, vriksha, nataraja, trivikrama, ananda tandava, padma, siddha, kaka & vrishchikasana.

Yoganjali Natyalayam is restoring these acrobatic Karanas to classical Bharatanatyam performances and this is possible only by combining sustained Yogic discipline with training in classical dance from an early age. www.rishiculture.org

BHARATANATYAMA PLAY OF SUBTLE ENERGIES

Yatho hasthastato dristhihi, yatho drishthasthato manaha, yatho manasthato bhaavo, yatho bhavasthato rasaha -Where hands go, eyes follow; where eyes go mind follows; where mind goes, there is created aesthetic expression of emotion and thus the essence is evoked.

Yoga teaches us –Where the mind goes, Prana flows!

When Prana flows, life manifests and emotion comes alive. This is indeed the intricate, inner link between the Pranamaya Kosha and our emotions!

CONCLUSION Upon creating the Natyaveda, Brahma said, “This

art is not merely for your pleasure, but shall teach men that the fruit of righteousness will be given to those who follow Dharma. The spirituality of this art shall be a restraint for the unruly, a discipline for the followers of rule. It will create wisdom in the ignorant, learning in scholars, afford sport to kings and endurance to the sorrow-stricken. This great art shall console and elevate the world”.

May we strive to keep the purity of our great cultural heritage intact through the great art of Natya that enables us to fulfill our Dharma in a most refined, pleasing, enjoyable, dignified, beautiful and joyful manner and attain that final union with the Supreme Self. 

REFERENCES Bhavanani Meenakshi Devi. Yoga: One woman’s view. Satya Press, Ananda

Ashram, Pondicherry. 1985 Coomaraswamy Ananda. The Mirror of Gesture: Being the Abhinaya Darpana of

Nandikeswara. Munshiram Manoharlal. New Delhi.1997. Gitananda Giri Swami. Mudras. Satya Press, Ananda Ashram, Pondichery.1975 Hinduism Today July 1992. Yogi Playwright Infusing Indian Theatre With More

Atma and Altruism Kothari Sunil. Bharata Natyam: Indian classical dance art. Marg Publications.

1979. Ramanathan Leela. Moving sculpture, frozen dance. Sunday Herald, Deccan

Herald, Sundays, January 18 and 25, 2004 Sudhakar Kanaka. Indian classical dancing: The therapeutic advantages.

Sterling Publishers, New Delhi.1994 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_classical_dance www.ignca.nic.in/ks_14_cn.htm#KARANA www.kanakasabha.com/hastas/index www.nadanam.com/bharatnatyam www.pir.net/~beth/main www.shilpkalamart.com/classicaldances

Thank You