MANIPURI

MYTH AND ORIGIN: The movements of the body, feet and facial expressions in the Manipuri dance are extremely delicate and aspire to exhibit complete devotion and gracefulness. This is applicable only for the female dancers. On the other hand the performance by the male counterparts is fully charged with enthusiasm and vigour. Its usually accompanied with props like drum , sticks etc. More than the classical inclinatin it depicts more of ritual movements .

Contrary to other classical dance forms the origin of MANIPURI dance is shrouded in mystery. Hence many myths and legends have been associated with the same. The Manipuris consider themselves to be the descendants of the Gandharvas , who were the legendary musicians and dancers in the celestials court of the Gods(INDRA) .Thus this dnce form belongs to the valley people who call themselves METIES and trace their distant past to the vedic times.

KUCHIPUDI

Bhagavata Mela Natakam and KUCHIPUDI: Kuchipudi was initially trained to make the actors into BHAGAVATULU..ie performers of Bhagavatamela Natakams.

Present Scenario: Today a solo recital typically consists of such items as "SABDAM" , "BHAMAKALAPAM" (main item) "PADAMS' and "THARANGAMS". In Bhamakalapam the dancer has enormous scope for the dramatisation of characters.Sathyabhama is the main character who is a beautiful and arrogant queen who goes through the process of discovering the path of true LOVE and DEVOTION .Tharangam as I've already mentioned is more of dexterity and balancing feat where a pot filled with water is balanced on the head while balancing on the rim of a brass plate as the dancer moves around making a beautiful design in the process.

BHARATHANATYAM

HISTORY : Bharathanatyam has special mention in two important Tamil works - SILAPPADIKARAM and MANIMEKHALAI of the SANGAM age. All the sculptures show the importance of the "ARDHAMANDALAI " (out_turned knees) which is the position common to Bharathanatyam as well as all the Indian Classical Dances from Rajasthan to Ghokarnam and Gujarat to Assam. The sculptures can be traced back to 5TH B.C.This is a dance form which cannot be adequately done by anyone without reverence for technique and for spiritual life.It lifts one from temporal to eternal values.

MOHINIYATTAM

The torchbearers of the present day form: Guru Kalamandalam Sathyabhama who was the Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam from 1957 _1993 deserves a standing ovation for her contribution towards revival and renaissance of this art form.The hair stylishly gathered on left side( as a bun) with white jasmine flowers is unique of Mohiniyattam.This style with simple white or offwhite saree with golden border and golden jewellery was accepted as the costume for this art form during the tutorship of Guru Sathyabhama. Another stalwart who is equally to be cherished as a torchbearer is none other than Guru Kalamandalam Kshemavathi who has been conferred a PADMASHRI this year.I am a proud student of her at present.Though the make up and costume is simple and realistic , there is an unusual emphasis on the eyes which are lined beautifully and made to look sensual.