aharyam candra taradi tam vande sattivikam sivam
(Nandikeswara's Abhinaya Darpana)
MEANING:
I worship the benevolent God Siva,
the moment of whose limbs is the movement of the universe,
whose speech is the literary expresssion of the entire world,
whose decorative ornaments are the moom and the stars.
INTRODUCTION:
The Natya Shastra of Bharatha is the main dramatic theory of Sanskrit drama.BHARATHA MUNI wrote the Natyashastra of Bharatha.Our Rishis visualised the COSMIC MOTION as the CREATOR'S DANCE.From a new born baby to an old aged mankind , all dance with a grace and cadence.Each and every step corresponding to the appropriate raga or rhythm represents the tunes of nature.The wonderful science of dancing art is named as "NATYA SASTRA".This evolved from the "GANDHARVA VEDA", which is an Upaveda of Samaveda.This is supposed to be written during the 5th century BC
CLASSIFICATION OF CLASSICAL DANCE:
It is generally classified into Nritta or pure dance and Abhinaya or portrayal of feeling and expression.Abhinaya is of four kinds: "SATVIKA", "VACHIKA", "ANGIKA" ,"AHARYA".SATVIKA ABHINAYA means dance expressions of mind soothing feelings ; VACHIKA ABHINAYA means expression through power of speech or song ; ANGIKA ABHINAYA maens dance expression through gestures and rhythmic body movements ; AHARYA ABHINAYA means dance with an aid of dress and decoration.The main aspects rather than these are stage making, stage maintenance, methodology of beginning a play, how to end the play, entry of roles and finally the characters in the play.
BRIEF EXPLANATION:
It is the embodiment of music in its visual form.It contains literary aspests like CHANDAS; KAVYA LAKSHANA; BASHA LAKSHANA. It even discusses the aspects of music like composition of music such as talas and ragas.Thay are also seen as mystic symbols of BHAKTHI YOGA.Nritya is based on the facial expressions called NAVA RASAS.The facial expressions provoke the audience under their control.The viewer's emotional response to the expressions of the artist is called "RASA".There are 8 rasas and 8 bhavas.
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The dance heritage of India is at least 5000 years old. A dancing girl figurine was found in the ruins of Mohenjodaro and is dated approximately 2nd Century B.C. Many group dancing sequences are depicted in exquisite rock paintings of Bhimbetaka caves of Madhya Pradesh. The apsaras (Celestials) dancers are carved at the gateways of Sanchi. The wall paintings of Ajanta and Ellora, the sculptures of Khajuraho, the temple walls of Hoysala dynasty, stand ample evidence for popularity of Indian dances from ancient times.
Through the centuries the dances have been used as a vehicle of worship and expression of emotions in India. The temple dancers (Devadasis) have led a very austere lives in order to perform sacred dances to please Gods and Goddesses. The Devadasi system is still prevalent in some states of India. In Karnataka they are dedicated to the Goddess Yellamma of Savadatti. In Orissa, they are appointed to perform various activities of the temple. Indian Classical Dances
Bharatnatyam
Native to Tamil Nadu (a state in Southern India), Bharatanatyam is one of the popular Indian classical dance forms. It was previously referred to as Sadir, Dasiattam and Thanjavur Natyam. The dance form demands unconditional and complete dedication from the side of the performer.
Kathak
Kathak, which originated in northern India, represents one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances. The name Kathak has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'katha', meaning story. Thus, 'katthaka' means the one who tells a story. Kathak focuses more on the footwork of the dancer.
Kathakali
The picturesque state of Kerala has gifted India with a dance drama known as Kathakali. Embedded in stories from the epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata and from the Puranas (ancient scriptures), the dance form is believed to have originated in the 16th century.
Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi was introduced as a dance drama, but its present day dispensation tells a different story altogether. It has now been reduced only to dance form, with the drama missing completely. With proficient training and knowledge, the Kuchipudi dancers have started presenting the dance form in their individualistic ways, today.
Manipuri
Manipuri is the classical dance from the Manipur region in the North East. Very much religious and associated to Vaishnav cult of Hinduism, the art form primarily depicts episodes from the life of Lord Vishnu. Manipuri dance style is multifaceted and ranges from the softest feminine to the vigorous masculine.
Mohiniatam
Mohiniattam, in literal terms, means Mohini's dance. Mohini, according to Indian mythology, is a very beautiful woman, who attracts people instantly. She is regarded as an enchantress and thus, Mohiniattam is the dance of the enchantress.
Odissi
Based on Natya Shastra, Odissi is regarded as one of the oldest surviving dance forms of India, with well preserved archaeological evidence. It has originated from Orissa and its history can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. The dance form has been extensively depicted in the sculptures of Brahmeswara temple and Sun Temple at Konark.
As all rivers merge into ocean, so does all dance forms at the holy feet of Nataraja, the cosmaic dancer.The Natya Shastra is considered the foundation of the fine arts in India. The eight basic bhavas (emotions) are: love, humor, energy, anger, fear, grief, disgust and astonishment.Bharata’s theory of drama refers to bhavas, the imitations of emotions that the actors perform, and the rasas (emotional responses) that they inspire in the audience.
Natyasastra is a detailed compendium of technical instructions about the performing arts. It was meant as a practical manual for the production of successful theatrical performances, which included music and dance as well as acting. It was also intended as a guide to the poet and the performer, alike.
(Natyasastra 1: 106=07; 112-14)
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