By Nehha Bhatnagar
Last week, I introduced you to Northern and Eastern dance traditions to help you choose which one to pursue. This week, I’m taking you for a journey {virtual, albeit} to the South of our country to explore dance forms that originated there, and what one can expect while learning them.
But before that, in true Classical Dance style, a shloka to get us started.
Yato Hasta Stato Drushti
Yato Drushti Stato Manaha
Yato Manaha Stato Bhavom
Yato Bhavom Stato Rasaha
Where the hand goes, there the eyes follow
Where the eyes are, the mind follows
Where the mind is, there the expression is,
Where the expression is, the ‘rasa’ or flavour is born
South Indian Classical Dance Traditions |
BHARATNATYAM {Tamil Nadu}
Origins | Said to be the dance of Lord Shiva as Nataraja and his consort Goddess Parvati, Bharatanatyam is said to have been also performed by the apsaras of Heaven. The Karanas or postures are sculpted in the most ancient of temples and thus there is proof of this dance form’s antiquity. The author of the Natyashastra or the treatise on dance and drama is said to have been Bharata Muni from whose name this dance form could have originated. However, the very fact that it emphasizes ‘Bha’va or expressions, ‘Ra’ga or melody and ‘Ta’la or rhythm and is a dance form {natyam}, could be its names origins. The devadasis or temple dancers in South India, before the British era in India performed it as ‘dasi attam’ and later, with inputs from various masters, it got the format of present day Bharatanatyam.
What you can expect | The hardest dance form physically as its main position is in half-squat and it has equal elements of Tandava {masculine male dance form of Lord Nataraja} and the feminine aspect of Lasya {Goddess Parvati’s contribution}. It has a complex vocabulary of mudras/hand gestures besides being primarily choreographed to Tamil songs based on Carnatic music. Yes, other language compositions such as Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit and sometimes Hindi are done, but primarily Tamil is used. Personally for me, though, Bharatanatyam is the complete dance form which has generous offerings of everything gratifying.
Take Note | Very rigorous on the body, especially the knees. Equal balance of masculine and feminine aspects of dance.
KUCHIPUDI {Andhra Pradesh}
Origins | The village Kuchipudi in the state of Andhra, is where Kuchipudi originated. It survived under the royal patronage of kingdoms surrounding it. It took to a more dance drama style where in emphasis on theatrical elements was very prominent too. Kuchipudi follows, very closely, the elements of the Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni. Important Gurus, over many years of research, gave it the present day repetoire and form.
What to Expect | Kuchipudi is a slightly less rigid form than Bharatanatyam where emphasis is not as strict on the centre of gravity. It was designed for more spiritual elements- a reunion of sorts with the Divine. It It has Telugu music apart from Sanskrit music too. If one wants to show-off about a cool thing learnt in dance class- then the Kuchipudi repertoire teaches the artiste to dance, standing, on the edges of a brass plate! It also involves a more developed ‘vachikabhinaya’ than Bharatanatyam- where in the dancer also can speak the lyrics or mime them on stage. Kuchipudi has a much more elaborate hair-do than Bharatanatyam and so for the ladies who like to dress-up more: this one is for you.
Take Note | Very similar to Bharatanatyam, however not as rigorous or sculpted. A lot more flow in body lines.
MOHINIATTAM {Kerala}
Origins | A much debated topic, Mohiniattam in its present form is accredited to the royal scholarship of King Swathi Thirunal of Kerala in the 19th century who himself was an accomplished musician and composer. There is evidence of an exchange between the devadasis of Tamil Nadu and Kerala leading to a form of dasi attam {dance of the devadasis} unique to Kerala which was later given its unique style in the form of present day Mohiniattam.
What to expect | Mohiniattam is only performed by women and is also not as hard on the feet as footwork isn’t that intense. However, the torso is moved sideways endlessly {akin to the abundant swaying of leaves and waves in the rivers in Kerala} and so the body requires immense practice in a very unnatural movement of the neck and torso moving semi-circular sideways. The music is based on Carnatic traditions with a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam compositions. The hand gestures are elaborate and follow a different treatise of hand gestures than Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi- the Hasta Lakshanadeepika. It is much slower art form as well, but has some lovely percussion instruments accompanying it that makes performances very gratifying.
Take Note | Only for females. Very different torso movements. Very simple and non-colourful costumes. Mostly off-white based sari with gold borders and temple golden finish jewellery.
KATHAKALI {Kerala}
Origins | It is said that Kathakali emerged from political rivalries. The Zamorin {royal head} of Calicut had created a dance drama on the life and times of Lord Krishna called ‘Krishnanattam.’ A royal head of another kingdom in Kerala asked for the loan of this Zamorin’s troupe for the former’s festivities which was promptly refused by the latter. In revenge, a new art form in Malayalam based on the life of Lord Rama and soaking in the ancient folk drama and dance forms of Kerala such as Koodiyattam and Theyyam, Kathakali was presented to the world. It also took its main physical form from the indigenous martial art form of Kalaripayattu.
What to expect | Kathakali is probably the hardest to learn as far as eye gestures, facial movements and body control is concerned. Though, there is little stage movement by the characters in their heavy costumes, there is such immense focus on the subtle movements of everything from the eyebrows to the fingers- that this art form really requires patience and wholesome training. Again, based on Carnatic music, mythological stories performed in great detail form the bulk of Kathakali performances. A Kathakali artiste takes three times longer to get ready with costume/make-up than an artiste of any other style of dance!
Take Note | Patience and more patience!
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Be prepared for a long sadhana/tapasya/prayer/journey if you learn any Classical Dance form. But once hooked, it will be difficult to regress.
You, dear readers are blessed to be residing in Delhi, which today is the most culturally active city in India. Besides having schools of the eight Classical Dance forms, contemporary and jazz classes too are plenty. As are classes for Bollywood dancing, ballet, hip/hop, Salsa, Zumba, Ballroom, Meringue, Belly Dancing, Bachata and more. More on this in the next article.
“Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Friedrich Nietzsche
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