Bharatnatyam || Western Dance || Folk Dance

Indian culture today has a distinct identity enlivened through Temple traditions. Indian dance forms associated with the evolution and development of Temple arts speak volumes of the great cultural endeavour. Indian dance forms as practiced today have captured global attention sensitising the Indianness in all the cultural vistas of the world.

Dance forms were nurtured with a purpose in the sacred premises of temples. Temple dancing had a mission : to take art to the people and conveying a message to the masses. The monotony of the life of commonness as well as the elite was equally shared in the premises of a Temple. True religion sanctified every element with a touch of beauty.

Art was an effective means to suggest the cosmic truth touching the hearts of the devotees through dance, music, sculpture, architecture or a piece of jewellery, when compared to the effect created by rigid ritualistic practices.

The present Bharatanatyam style finds its substance from the Dassiattam of colonial times. If at all we regard Indian dance as the spectacular contribution to human endeavour we should recall today with great reverence the entire class of devadasis who were the repository of delivering the tradition in most difficult situations from vedic to colonial times.

Apart from these classical dance forms, India is particularly rich in folk idioms. Each area has its own special varieties, be they martial, seasonal, ritual, sacrificial or celebratory. It can vary from village to village but they all share a common heritage of myths and symbols. "Folk" in our practice today indicates community and expressions that are spontaneous. The expression is total. There is little difference between verbal and non verbal communication systems and techniques. Their expressions reflect their geographical postponing and their relationship to nature. They may be spontaneous expressions, innocent and done for no commercial gain.

The common root of all classical dance forms can be traced to Bharatha's NATYASASTRA. It is a common text for all the Indian dance forms. It contains the different kinds of postures, the mudras or hand movements each depicting a particular meaning, and about the construction of stage , makeup and about orchestra. All dance forms are thus structured around the nine rasas or emotions.hasya (happiness), krodha (anger), bhibatsa (disgust), bhaya (fear), viram (courage), karuna (compassion), adbhuta (wonder) and shanta (serenity).

Indian classical dance is divided into nritta- the rhythmic elements, nritya- the combination of rhythm and expression, natya- the dramatic element. To appreciate natya or dance drama, one has to understand and appreciate Indian legends. Most Indian dances take their themes from India's rich mythology and folk legends. Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Vishnu, Shiva and Lakshmi , Sita are all depicted in these dances. Each dance form also draws inspiration from stories depicting the life and beliefs of the Indians.