Classical Dances of India Radha Prasad Varadan

Types of Classical Dances

 Bharatanatyam  Kathak  Kathakali  Odissi  Kuchipudi  Manipuri  Mohiniattam  Sattriya

Bharatanatyam

 Comes from the words Bhava (expression), Raga (music), Tala (rhythm) and Natya (classical theater)  Originates in South India  Performance Consists of multiple items Nritta– pure dance movements Abhinaya– dramatic art of storytelling Nritya– combination of nritta & abhinaya  Music- Carnatic music

Bharatanatyam

 Costume Made of silk saris with gold embroidery Costume has a lot of pleats  Jewelry Necklace, Bangles and head ornaments  Bells mounted on woven pads are worn on the feet

Bharatanatyam Famous Exponents

Yamini Krishnamurthy Rukmini Devi

Kathak

 Derived from Katha (story) and Katthaka (who tells stories)  Originates from North India.

 3 main gharanas or schools: Lucknow, Jaipur & Benares  Performance Progresses from slow to fast pieces Footwork & spins Abhinaya-expression  Music – Hindusthani music Provided by Tabla, Sitar, Santoor

Kathak

 Costume Ghungroos or bells on the ankles Female- lehenga choli or chudidaar kameez Male- bare chest and dhoti or kurta churidar

Kathak Famous Exponents

Birju Maharaj Kumudini Lakhia

Kathakali

 Originates from Kerala state  Attractive make-up of characters and elaborate costumes  Performance Combination of 5 elements Natyam (expression), Nritham (dance), Nrithyam (enactment), Geetham (vocal) and Vadyam (instruments)  Music- Carnatic music language of songs -Manipravalam

Kathakali

 Elaborate makeup Green face color- noble characters (Pacha) Green with red streaks- characters with evil streaks Red face color- excessively evil characters Women have yellow face color  Costume Elaborate and differ according to character Pacha

Kathakali Famous Exponents

Kalamandalam Sivadas Pariyanampatta Divakaran

Odissi

 Originates from Orissa  Schools of Odissi Mahari, Nartaki & Gotipua  Main Emphasis Tribhangi- independent movement of head, chest and pelvis Chauka- basic square stance  Music – Odissi music

Odissi

 Costume Sari- beautiful cloth wrapped around body in traditional style Bright shades of orange, purple, red or green  Jewelry Tikka (forehead ornament) Allaka (headpiece where tikka hangs) Ear covers in intricate shapes with jumkis (bell shaped earrings) hanging from them Chains Two sets of bangles (thin bracelets) worn on upper arm & wrist.

Odissi Famous Exponents

Sanjukta Panigrahi Kelucharan Mohapatra

Kuchipudi

 Originates from Andhra Pradesh state in South India  Shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam  Unique Kuchipudi dance Tarangam- dancer dances on plate with diyas in the hands and vessel of water on the head  Music- Carnatic music

Kuchipudi

 Costume Similar to Bharatanatyam ‘Katcham’ (long fold) at the back of the costume  Jewelry Female characters wear ornaments and jewelry

Kuchipudi (Famous Exponents)

Dr. Vempatti Chinnasatyam Raja and Radha Reddy

Manipuri

 Originates from Manipur state  Performance Movements are subtle and aim at devotion and grace Rounded movements without jerks and sharp lines Dancers feet never strike the ground hard  Music provided by singer, ‘Pung’ (drum), cymbals and flute

Manipuri

 Costume Female- dress called patloi and lehenga called kumin. Transparent odni is worn on the head and covers the face Male- usually saffron dress depicting Lord Krishna  Dancers do not wear ankle bells

Manipuri (Famous Exponents)

Darshana Jhaveri Kalavati Devi

Mohiniattam

 Comes from the words Mohini- temptress and Attam- dance   Graceful dance performed only by women Influences from Bharatanatyam and Kathakali  Music Vocal (called chollu), Veena, flute, Maddalam & Idakka

Mohiniattam

 Characterized by realistic makeup and simple dressing  Costume White or cream sari with gold border Costume is profusely pleated  Jewelry Mainly gold ornaments

Mohiniattam (Famous Exponents)

Gopika Varma Neena Prasad

Sattriya

 Originates in Assam state  Performance Based on mythological stories Performed by men and women  Recognized as one of the classical dance forms of India in 2000

Sattriya

 Music Devotional songs called borgeets Instruments- khols (drums), taals (cymbals) and flute  Costume Made of pat (type of silk) Ornaments are based on traditional Assamese designs