Home  Classical Dance Forms
|
Glossary - Classical Dance |
|
Terms used in Indian
classical dance
Bharata Nătyam - Indian classical dance style from South India
Kathak - Indian classical dance style from North India mainly Jaipur and Lucknow
Kuchipudi - Classical dance style from Kuchipudi village in Andhra Pradesh
Mohiniattam - Classical dance style from South Indian state of Kerala.
Odissi - Classical dance style from Orissa (India)
Kathakali - Indian classical dance drama of Kerala, a state in south India.
Nritta - Pure dance involving hand and body movements
Nritya - Interpretative aspect of dance involving Abhinaya
Bhăva - Mood
Thillana - A lively musical form, usually set to be rendered in brisk pace. It is the Carnatic counterpart of the North Indian 'tarana'.
Rangapravesam or Arangetram - This is the blossoming of the student of Bharatnatyam into a full-fledged artist and enters the stage for the first time.
Mudhras are a means of communication for
the dancer to express the theme of the song. Common in south Indian classical dance.
Adavus- are the basic steps taught to the students in Bharatanatyam.
|
|
|
Glossary - Classical Music |
|
| Terms used in Indian classical music |
Karnatic Music/Carnatic Music - the classical music of South India.
Hindustani Music - North Indian classical music.
Rag/Raga/Ragam: A melodic concept within certain strict rules. Ragas are groups of notes that organise melody.Common in Indian classical music.
Tal/Tala/Talam :A time cycle, a rhythm structure and a measure applied in the act of keeping time.Common in Indian classical music.
Laya: Rhythm or Tempo. The tempo is regulated. The duration of rest between two strokes of 'matra' Is laya.Common in Indian classical music
Gharana : A school Of music representing a specific musical lineage or tradition.Term used in North Indian classical music.
Bol - This is the mnemonic system where each stroke of the drum has a syllable attached to it. These syllables are known as bol. Term found in Northy Indian classical music.
Bhajan — a hindu devotional song. Bhajans are sometimes used as light classical repetoire
Mridangam: A percussion instrument which is a common accompaniment in south Indian classical music and dance.
Tabla: A percussion instrument which is a common accompaniment in north Indian classical music and dance.
Guru-Shishya Parampara -The traditional teacher-disciple method of learning all forms of Indian classical music. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dance Forms - Indian classical dance |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Monday, 04 April 2005 |
|
Dance Forms - Indian classical dance
Introduction
India, a country with a myriad of cultures and languages has a rich tradition of classical music and dance. Natya Shastra a classic Indian text believed to be written by Bharat Muni in about 400 BC, details theater,acting,dance, music, gestures and many finer aspects of stagecraft.
In the olden days the dancers were genarally attached to the temples and hence, today also, most of the themes on which the classical dances are based are mythological in nature. Over the ages, the Indian classical dance has transformed significantly since different areas had influenced and added their own flavour to it. Today the classical Indian dance manifests iteslf in the following forms.
Bharata Natyam (South-Tamil Nadu)
Bharatanatyam is the most popular of Indian dances and belongs to the Southern Indian state of Tamilnadu. The salient features of Bharatanatyam are movements conceived in space mostly either along straight lines or triangles. In terms of geometrical designs, the dancer appears to weave a series of triangles besides several geometrical patterns.
Kathak (North India)
Prevalent in the North as a classical dance form, Kathak has a long history. Nurtured in the holy precincts of the Hindu temples, Kathak has over the centuries attained refinement and enriched itself with various hues and embellishments. Kathak means a story teller and it developed as a dance form in which a solo dancer tells and interprets stories from mythology.
Kuchipudi (south - Andhra Pradesh)
Kuchipudi, is a dance-drama tradition and derives its name from the vilage of Kuchipudi in the Southern State of Andra Pradesh. In recent years, it has evolved as a solo dance for the concert platform and is performed by women, though like Kathakali it was formerly the preserve of men. The female roles were enacted by men and even today, the tradition boasts of gifted male dancers enacting female roles with such consummate artistry that hardly anyone would notice them as male dancers.
Kathakali (South - Kerala)
Kathakali means a story play or a dance drama. Katha means story. Belonging to the South-Western coastal state of Kerala, Kathakali is primarily a dance drama form and is extremely colourful with billowing costumes, flowing scarves, ornaments and crowns. The dancers use a specific type of symbolic makeup to portray various roles which are character-types rather than individual characters. Various qualities, human, godlike, demonic, etc., are all represented through fantastic make-up and costumes.
Mohiniattam (South - Kerala)
Mohini Attam as a dance form has developed in Kerala. Performed by women, it has graceful, gentle bobbing movements. Mohini means an enchantress and a dancer with enchanting movements, dressed in a typical white saree with gold border, hair gathered in a bun on one side and with golden jewellery epitomises the image of a beautiful maiden. Apparently it resembles the Bharatanatyam dance form but is quite distinct in its execution of movements, usage of hand gestures and its stark, simple costume.
Yaksha Gana (south - Karnataka)
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form combining dance, music, spoken word, costume-makeup, and stage technique with a distinct style and form.
Both the word Yakshagana and its world are both interesting and intriguing. It is a theatre form mainly prevalent in the coastal districts and adjacent areas, in Karnataka. It is closely connected with other forms prevailing in other parts of Karnataka, and its neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Maharastra.
Chakiarkoothu (south - Kerala)
This dance form is believed to have been introduced to Kerala by the early Aryan immigrants & is performed only by the members of the Chakiar caste. A highly orthodox type of entertainment, it can be staged inside temples only & witnessed by the Hindus of the higher castes. The theatre is known as Koothambalam. The story is recited in a quasi-dramatic style with emphasis on eloquent declarations with appropriately suggestive facial expressions & hand gestures. The only accompaniments are the cymbals & the drum known as the mizhavu, made of copper with a narrow mouth on which is stretched a piece of parchment
Ottan Thullal (South- Kerala)
It is performed solo & because of its ready mass appeal, it is also known as the poor man's Kathakali. Kunjan Nambiar evolved it & brought out the social conditions of his time, the distinctions of class & the weakness & whims of
Koodiyattam (South - Kerala)
Practised and preserved by the Chakyar community in Kerala, Koodiyattam is the oldest surviving link with ancient Sanskrit theatre. A precursor of Kathakali drama, Koodiyattam has several conventions which reflect the aesthetic conventions of the Natyashastra.
Krishnattam (South - Kerala)
It is intended for presentation on eight successive nights to unfold the entire story of Lord Krishna, the style is almost akin to Kathakali.
Please click on the corresponding menu item to get more details on a particular form of dance.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 22 July 2005 )
|
|
|
|
|
|
