Indian Classical Dance: Retold
Indian classical dance, though in ancient times, was supposed to be a way of worship or the way to reach God, it is the greatest form of expression. It is interesting to know that when an Indian Classical dancer starts dancing, a prayer is recited which says, " the whole universe be thy body, the whole literature, your speech, the moon and stars, your ornaments, I bow down to thy who is form of purity (expression). Now as this prayer is recited, it is nothing but a reminder call for an artist to pay attention to all four aspects of the performance that are, body movements, lyrics and music, ornaments and costume and the purity of expressions.
These four aspects, when learnt by an artist, are transformed into a full 'performance' or presentation on the stage. The body movements, for each classical dance style are different; but the goal of all is the same- decoration and accompanying the expression. Each and every part of artist's body has its own importance in the portrayal of expression. The treatise on drama and dance (Nātyaśāstra) depicts the movements of each major and minor part of the body and it's role in a particular expression. For example, in a pleasant expression, the body is lifted, hands and feet are more graceful, cheeks blown, lips open in smile, eye balls wide, eye brows active and so on. So that, the artist can rely on this technique while learning his first lessons of acting. Also,there is a unique way and speciality of Indian Classical Dance is Hand Gestures. These Hand Gestures are so elaborate that an artist can translate almost every word through them. (Other than art also, in normal life, it is fun to 'talk' or rather communicate through these dance gestures, especially for children). Though each dance style has its own technique of body movements, it serves the same purpose in all of them. The feet follow the rhythm, the hands and face follow the lyrics, translate the emotion and meaning and in the pieces which do not contain an emotion, (pure dance) it is eye-pleasing experience to see the dancer's sheer joyful footwork and graceful body movements.
The second aspect is lyrics and music. The style, rhythm and instruments used vary from style to style. The lyrics are mostly composed about God, king or layman; in the language the style follows. Firstly, the introductory line is translated word to word through hand gestures and facial expressions. Then the lines are explained elaborately, adding other aspects of the topic and then appropriately, the story is woven in the elaboration. The line which is interpreted for the presentation of a story, is repeated as many times in a modification as the dancer performs. Generally in the compositions the dancer is supposed to be a heroine, and the hero, the God or a king in whose praise the composition is. The heroine is pinning for the union with the hero, and in this whole process her friend helps her who is supposed to be a friend, guide and philosopher.
As the dancer is supposed to be a heroine, the costume is in most of the dance styles, is of a bride. Almost all the dance styles follow the traditional shiny bride costume and rich combination of ornaments. The costumes are made of silk, satin or brocade and the ornaments of metal having pearls, stones or other beads. Though in ancient treatise on drama and dance (Nātyaśāstra), this third aspect includes the stage setting and property, in terms of dance it is concentrated on the dancer's own costume.
The emotional expression is the most important part of all the dance styles. Most of the Indian Classical Dance styles are performed solo. The technique of body movement which is so elaborate has a role to play here. The dancer alone, while elaborating about a composition, plays all the characters. This provides a reason for a dancer to be spontaneous and change characters immediately. They have to be portrayed without changing attire and to be expressed solely through the body language. Also, there is no time to get into a deep emotion, as there is no time for one particular emotion to elaborate. That is why, the emotion with this unique feature is many a times expressed by a hand gesture and facial expression. For example, tears are shown by a sad face and hand gesture instead of actual crying.
All these aspects make Indian Classical Dance very interesting but at the same time it asks for hard work and continuity. A performer can't perform without a proper training. The sudden changes of expressions have to be bold and yet convincing. This is only a glimpse of the art, there are many more interesting things in each Indian Classical Dance Style. It is colorful and widely diverse directed towards same purpose.
Indian classical dance, though in ancient times, was supposed to be a way of worship or the way to reach God, it is the greatest form of expression. It is interesting to know that when an Indian Classical dancer starts dancing, a prayer is recited which says, " the whole universe be thy body, the whole literature, your speech, the moon and stars, your ornaments, I bow down to thy who is form of purity (expression). Now as this prayer is recited, it is nothing but a reminder call for an artist to pay attention to all four aspects of the performance that are, body movements, lyrics and music, ornaments and costume and the purity of expressions.
These four aspects, when learnt by an artist, are transformed into a full 'performance' or presentation on the stage. The body movements, for each classical dance style are different; but the goal of all is the same- decoration and accompanying the expression. Each and every part of artist's body has its own importance in the portrayal of expression. The treatise on drama and dance (Nātyaśāstra) depicts the movements of each major and minor part of the body and it's role in a particular expression. For example, in a pleasant expression, the body is lifted, hands and feet are more graceful, cheeks blown, lips open in smile, eye balls wide, eye brows active and so on. So that, the artist can rely on this technique while learning his first lessons of acting. Also,there is a unique way and speciality of Indian Classical Dance is Hand Gestures. These Hand Gestures are so elaborate that an artist can translate almost every word through them. (Other than art also, in normal life, it is fun to 'talk' or rather communicate through these dance gestures, especially for children). Though each dance style has its own technique of body movements, it serves the same purpose in all of them. The feet follow the rhythm, the hands and face follow the lyrics, translate the emotion and meaning and in the pieces which do not contain an emotion, (pure dance) it is eye-pleasing experience to see the dancer's sheer joyful footwork and graceful body movements.
The second aspect is lyrics and music. The style, rhythm and instruments used vary from style to style. The lyrics are mostly composed about God, king or layman; in the language the style follows. Firstly, the introductory line is translated word to word through hand gestures and facial expressions. Then the lines are explained elaborately, adding other aspects of the topic and then appropriately, the story is woven in the elaboration. The line which is interpreted for the presentation of a story, is repeated as many times in a modification as the dancer performs. Generally in the compositions the dancer is supposed to be a heroine, and the hero, the God or a king in whose praise the composition is. The heroine is pinning for the union with the hero, and in this whole process her friend helps her who is supposed to be a friend, guide and philosopher.
As the dancer is supposed to be a heroine, the costume is in most of the dance styles, is of a bride. Almost all the dance styles follow the traditional shiny bride costume and rich combination of ornaments. The costumes are made of silk, satin or brocade and the ornaments of metal having pearls, stones or other beads. Though in ancient treatise on drama and dance (Nātyaśāstra), this third aspect includes the stage setting and property, in terms of dance it is concentrated on the dancer's own costume.
The emotional expression is the most important part of all the dance styles. Most of the Indian Classical Dance styles are performed solo. The technique of body movement which is so elaborate has a role to play here. The dancer alone, while elaborating about a composition, plays all the characters. This provides a reason for a dancer to be spontaneous and change characters immediately. They have to be portrayed without changing attire and to be expressed solely through the body language. Also, there is no time to get into a deep emotion, as there is no time for one particular emotion to elaborate. That is why, the emotion with this unique feature is many a times expressed by a hand gesture and facial expression. For example, tears are shown by a sad face and hand gesture instead of actual crying.
All these aspects make Indian Classical Dance very interesting but at the same time it asks for hard work and continuity. A performer can't perform without a proper training. The sudden changes of expressions have to be bold and yet convincing. This is only a glimpse of the art, there are many more interesting things in each Indian Classical Dance Style. It is colorful and widely diverse directed towards same purpose.
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