History of Dance in India Part 1
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History of Dance In India
description
This is the first power point that introduces students to traditional dance styles in India.
Transcript of History of Dance in India Part 1
Bharatnatyam Brahma, the supreme
Creator The Natya Shastra,
written by Baratha Considered to be the
fifth veda- Any of the oldest and most authoritative Hindu sacred texts, composed in Sanskrit and gathered into four collections.
Bharatnatyam
What are the four Vedas?
Who is Brahma?
This Bharata Natyam dancer's right hand is in the Katakamukha Hasta, the 3 joined fingers symbolizing the sacred syllable Aum. The left hand's fingers are in Alapadma Hasta, the rotating lotus of spiritual light. The eyes are directed towards the Supreme Lord. The left leg is lifted, symbolizing the swift ascent of the consciousness in one step from the Earth to the Heaven.
Video Samples of Bharatnatyam
Kathakali
Kathakali has its origin in the courts of the kings of Kerala. It is one of the most refined and most scientific dance forms of Kerala. Its
present form is not more than 300 years old. This art demands complete control over every part of the body. Kathakali draws
heavily from drama, utilising elaborate masks and costumes. The stories or attakathas, which are depicted via Kathakali are
selected from epics and mythologies. These are written in a highly Sanskritised verse form in Malayalam. Here, the dancer expresses himself through highly complicated mudras, closely
following the text being sung.
Kathakali
Kathakali Videos
Kuchipudi
South-East Indian state of Andhra Pradesh
Started by an orphan from Srikakulam
he vowed to become a sanyasi
Instructed Brahmin boys in the art of devotional dance based upon religious themes
Kuchipudi
Dances were offerings to God
The government gave them land
The dancers had political power (raja) and at one point had to be protected by the army
Dance
Odissi
Northern India Performed in temples
by boys Resembles sculpture in
India Repeated use of the
tribhangi, body is bent in three places to mirror the shape of a helix
Odissi
Nritta or non-representational dance, in which ornamental patterns are created using body movements in space and time
Abhinaya, or stylized mime in which symbolic hand gestures and facial expressions are used to interpret a story or theme.
Divine love tales of Radha and the cowherd God Krishna are favorite themes for interpretation
Dance Video
http://www.artindia.net/odissi.html http://www.indialine.com/travel/knowindia/dance.ht
ml http://www.youtube.com/
