Indian
culture today has a distinct identity
enlivened through Temple traditions. And
with body as a medium of communication,
the expression of dance is perhaps the
most intricate and developed, yet easily
understood forms of it. Indian dance
forms associated with the evolution and
development of Temple arts speak volumes
of the great cultural endeavour. Further
all the forms of Indian classical dances
are rooted in Natya Shastra.
It
is said that Brahma, the Creator, created
Natya, taking literature from the Rig
Veda, song from the Sama Veda, abhinaya
or expression from the Yajur Veda and
rasa or aesthetic experience from
the Atharvana Veda.
All
dance forms are thus structured around
the nine rasas or emotions,
hasya (happiness), krodha (anger),
bhibasta (disgust), bhaya
(fear), shoka (sorrow), viram
(courage), karuna (compassion),
adbhuta (wonder) and shanta
(serenity). All dance forms follow the
same hand gestures or hasta mudras
for each of these rasas. The dances
differ where the local genius has adapted
it to local demands and needs.
Classical
Dance Forms of India |
All
the classical dance forms can be traced
to different parts of the country to represent
the culture and ethos of that particular
region and that of people.
Indian
Classical dances can be broadly categorized
into the seven mentioned below
Besides
these, there are several semi-classical
dances that contribute to the plethora
of Indian dances.
HindustaniClassical.com
shall present details of these dance forms
shortly. Watch out for it.
|