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Classical Dance and Music(detailed) Indian Folk and Tribal Dances

Classical Dance and Music

Indian Classical Dance ". Abstraction of Upanishadic thought which is diligently translated in to well design real language of artistic media."

It was all started with Natya Shastra.

It is said to be written 2000 years ago by Bharata Muni, it is the influential source book for dancers and performers. The mammoth book covers all technological and aesthetic aspects of the art of the Indian Theatre and Dance.

From the purpose of natya, to the architectural plan, stage rituals, Rasa, Bhava, Abhinaya, gestic communication, music, types of instruments. 37 chapters that together form the center of this charming performing art. Later century works like Abhinaya Darpana, Abhinaya Chandrike, also have great significance to the dancer today.

Legend has it that the Devas (Gods) had beaten the Asuras (Evil) and were relating the activities to Brahma, the God of Creation. The Asuras thought this was a rehabilitated attack and retaliated. Brahma intervened - "This is only a presentation, hence forth it will only be held on earth".

And Brahma passed on all the information on Dance and Drama to Bharata Muni who amasses it as the Natya Shastra.

Sculpture Comes To Life

Temples were raised to the house the Gods and became the central point for the community. They also became centers of learning and contributed to the progression of such arts as sculpture, painting, music and dance. Mostly built by Kings, who were also the patrons of arts, cheering continuity and enriching rituals of worship, the earliest basis of the conventional performing arts.

It was from the temple, which the Devdasi cult (Temple Dancers who performed for the Lord) began. Once a practice nationwide - the Kulvantalu in Andhra Pradesh, the Maibi in Manipur, the Devdasi in Tamil Nadu and the Mahari in Orissa, all draw their roots to the temple. The countless sculptures of dance poses in the temples, hint at the strength of dance as a path to spiritual adulation and lays out a total lexicon of dance techniques.

For instance, it is said that the superior part of language of Odissi dance is preserved in stone.

A rich inheritance to be brought alive by the artist.

Indian Folk and Tribal Dances

Indian folk and ethnic dances are simple, and performed to convey joy. Folk dances are performed for every likely occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals. The dances are very simple with minimum of steps or movements. The dances burst with energy and vitality. Men and women perform some dances entirely, while in some performances men and women dance together. On many occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments. Each form of dance has an exact costume. Most costumes are showy with extensive jewels.

The northeast part of the nation is the home for over 60 tribes. Each tribe has its own variety of tribal dances. The thrilling dances of the Nagas and the Bihus of Assam are performed to celebrate spring and harvesting.

The chief folk dance of Gujarat is the Dandiya, which is performed using sticks. Each performer grasps two sticks, which they strike alternately to the right and left while the set dances. They also move obliquely, clockwise, anti-clockwise, as they strike the sticks.

Men, to the beat of the drum, perform the Bhangra dance of Punjab. The dance includes a wide choice of leaps and jumps. Dancers stand on each other's carry while dancing to the music.

There are hundreds of Indian folk and ethnic dances. Each region of the India has its own folk dance. The bamboo dance of Mizoram was performed by both men and women. While the men grasp the bamboo, the women folk dance between the bamboos. In this act, the sound of the bamboo hitting each other is the rhythm. Though dangerous if a rhythm is missed, these skilled dancers perform with grace and with care.

In the south, the dummy horse dance or the Poikalkuthirai is extremely famous. Dancers would fit dummy legs to their legs and dance to the tune of the music. Both men and women do this form of art. In Tamil Nadu, dancers place a karagam or a bedecked jug, on their head and dance while balancing the karagam.

While there are many folk and tribal dances, they are continually improved. The skill and the mind's eye of the dances influence the performance.