(C) UPSC AND GATE PORTAL

Ravi K. Thakur | @ravi_pushpak | January 2, 2016

Indian Classical Dance

upscandgateportal.wordpress.com / @UpscGatePortal/ 2014-16

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Indian Classical Dance is an Array term used to represent a group of Dance

performed in different areas of India, which has originated from NATYA SASHTRA

written by Bharatha Muni (Sanskrit: नाट्य शास्त्र, Nāṭyaśāstra) around 200 BCE to

200 CE.

Natya Sashtra :- Natya means Classical Dance and Sashtra means Book so Natya

Sashtra is an ancient Indian treatise which describe three forms of art Dance Music &

Drama in systematic way containing 6000 slokas in Sanskrit language.

The Word Classical is introduced by Sangeet Natak Akademi, originated from

Sanskrit word "Shastriya". According to Natya Shastra previously Classical dances

are only performed inside the sanctum of the temple called Agama Nartanam

and Dances performed in royal courts to the accompaniment of classical music are

called Carnatakam. later these dances bought to perform on stages and now a days

on theaters.

The basic aspects of Indian classical dance are tandava and lasya which means

rhythm and grace respectively. The poses given are called mudras. Every Indian

classical dance form exhibits the navarasas (nine human emotions) in their own way.

List of Classical Dances in different regions in India and their Recognition ( Source

Ministry of Culture).

Dance form State(s) of origin

Recognition

by

Sangeet Natak

Akademi

Recognition

by

Ministry of

Culture

Bharatanatyam Tamil Nadu Yes Yes

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Chhau Odisha, West Bengal,

Jharkhand No Yes

Gaudiya Nritya West Bengal No No

Kathak Northern India (Uttar Pradesh) Yes Yes

Kathakali Kerala Yes Yes

Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh Yes Yes

Manipuri Manipur Yes Yes

Mohiniyattam Kerala Yes Yes

Odissi Odisha Yes Yes

Sattriya Assam Yes Yes

Thang Ta Manipur No Yes

The basic aspects of Indian classical dance are tandava and lasya which means

rhythm and grace respectively. The poses given are called mudras. Every Indian

classical dance form exhibits the navarasas (nine human emotions) in their own way.

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1. BHARATANATYAM is the most famous classical dance form of

India which was originated in TAMIL NADU state.

BHARATANATYAM came from the words BHARATA denoting bhava

(expression), raga (music) and tala (rhythm).This dance form was performed

by devadasis only in temples in ancient days. Later on it came to dance

schools and flourished. PANDANALLUR style and TANJAVUR style are

two styles of

BHARATANATYAM. FAMOUS

DANCERS: The famous dancers of BHARATANATYAM are Rukmini Devi,

T. BALASARASWATHI, MRINALINI SARABHAI, ANITA RATNAM and so

on.

2. KATHAKALI classical dance was born in the temples of Kerala. It was

originated from the words KATHA (means story) and KALI (means drama). It

is said that the ancient dance form of Kerala RAMANATTAM was evolved into

KATHAKALI. It was used to be performed in open air stages and was soon

brought to the theatres. FAMOUS DANCERS: The famous dancers of

KATHAKALI are GURU KUNCHU KURUP, KARUNAKARAN, GOPINATH,

RAMAN PILLAI etc.

3. KATHAK dance form was originated in Uttar Pradesh. It literally means

story telling through dance. It was highly influenced by VAISHNAVISM and

was associated with temples accompanied by keertans. During Mughal rule,

Persian style costumes were introduced into this form. It was greatly

flourished in GHARANAS of different cities.

FAMOUS DANCERS: The famous dancers of KATHAK are SITARA DEVI,

DAMAYANTI JOSHI, UMA SHARMA, MANISHA GULYANI etc.

4. KUCHIPUDI was named after its place of origin, KUCHELAPURAM, a

village in Andhra Pradesh. In ancient days it was only performed by male

Brahmins in temples for enacting puranas. Later on, it was brought on to the

stage and was patronised by Vijayanagara and Golconda rulers.

FAMOUS DANCERS: The famous dancers of KUCHIPUDI are VEMPATI

CHINA SATYAM, SWAPNA SUNDARI, CHINTA KRISHNA MURTHY etc.

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5. Mohiniyattam was named after a mythological story in which lord Vishnu

appeared as Mohini to save the amrita (nectar of immortality) & second time

to save Lord Shiva from Bhasmasura. It originated in Kerala around 16th CE.

6. Oddisi also known as Orissi is originated in Odisha in Natya Shastra it

is Odra-Magadhi around 1 BCE in the hill of Udaygiri near

Bhubaneswar.

Conclusion:- Indian Classical Dance is a lead role which represent

India's rich Ancient heritage culture. It attracts

many foreigners towards our glorifying Indian

Culture.

Source:- Wikipedia, www.indiaculture.nic.in, IAS.org.in

Witten and Edited BY:-

Ravi Kumar Thakur (Follow@ravi_pushpak on twitter).