BHARATA NATYAM

This art form belongs to Tamil Nadu. This was originally known as "Dasiattam" and was performed by Devadasies in temples to appease the gods and goddesses.Lot of evolution has occured over the years and the present form is depicted by its rhythmic vigorous footwork, crisp movements and sculpturesque poses .

MOHINIYATTAM

This art form also has its origin in kerala..the land of Kera's..ie coconut trees. The serenity of this dance form is well depicted

in the costume. The enchanting sway of "Mohini" is a soothing balm to the eyes and mind. Sringara and Bhakti are the main emotions of this dance form.

KATHAKALI

KATHAKALI ...

AN AWE INSPIRING DANCE DEPICTED IN THE DRAMATIC FORM WHICH USUALLY TELLS A STORY FROM THE MYTHOLOGY..MAINLY MAHABHARATA. THE VALOUR AND VIGOUR OF THE PROTAGONIST IS WELL UNDERSTOOD FROM THE COSTUME.

MAIN INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES

1)KATHAKALI AND MOHINIYATTAM- KERALA
2)BHARATA NATYAM -TAMIL NADU
3)KUCHIPUDI -ANDHARA PRADESH
4)ODISSI -ORISSA
5)KATHAK -UTTAR PRADESH
6)MANIPURI -MANIPUR

MESMERISING WORLD OF INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES

INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES COME UNDER THE ORIENTAL DANCES AS IT IS MAINLY BASED ON MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION.THESE ANCIENT DANCE FORMS ORIGINATED TO PLEASE THE GODS AND WERE MAINLY DONE IN THE TEMPLES. SO THEY WERE KNOWN AS TEMPLE DANCES.THESE DANCE FORMS USE "MUDRAS" -HAND GESTURES THAT HAVE RECOGNIZED MEANINGS COMBINED WITH RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT OF THE BODY UNIQUE TO EACH STYLE.THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS KNOWN AS "NAVARASAS" ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DANCE FORMS.

TYPES OF DANCING.......CONTINUED

5)ORIENTAL DANCING-THESE DANCE TRADITIONS ARE THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD,MAINLY BASED UPON A HISTORICAL EVENT, A MYTH OR A LEGEND. THESE ARE POPULAR IN ASIAN COUNTRIES.
6)AFRICAN DANCING-FOR AFRICANS DANCING IS A WAY OF LIFE. ANY IMPORTANT OCCASION IS FOLLOWED BY A CEREMONIAL DANCE USUALLY DONE IN GROUPS, ACCOMPANIED WITH DRUM BEATS.

TYPES OF DANCING

DANCES COME IN VARIOUS HUES AND COLOURS,EACH HAVING ITS OWN IDENTITY AND SCINTILLATING BEAUTY.YET WE CAN LIBERALLY CLASSIFY THEM INTO FOUR OF THE PROMINENT KINDS IN THE WESTERN WORLD AND ONE EACH OF ASIAN AND AFRICAN ORIGIN.THE SIX BROAD CATEGORIES ARE....
1)CLASSICAL FORM- BALLET-IN THE FORM OF A DRAMA USUALLY TELLS A STORY.
2)MODERN DANCING-THERE ARE MORE THAN TEN TYPES UNDER THIS.EX:-JAZZ,HIP HOP,TAP DANCE ETC.
3)FOLK DANCING-IT IS THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF SOCIAL DANCING OF A PARTICULAR NATION OR ETHNIC GROUP.
4)POPULAR DANCING-KIND OF DANCING PEOPLE DO FOR FUN.USUALLY DONE IN DISCOTHEQUES OR DISCOS TO LIVE BANDS OR RECORDED MUSIC.

KINDS OF DANCING

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR KINDS OF DANCING- THEATRICAL AND SOCIAL.
THE FORMER IS MAINLY FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF SPECTATORS.
THE LATTER IS DONE FOR THE PLEASURE OF THE DANCER RATHER THAN THE ENTERTAINMENT OF AN AUDIENCE.
IF WE LOOK AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE WE REALISE ANY ARTFORM EXPRESSED WHOLEHEARTEDLY RENDERS A LOT OF SELF SATISFACTION.