Classical Indian Dance: Origins, Elements, Slokas & LinksThe origins of Indian Dance: The Natya Shastra The Nayta Shastra is the principal work of dramatic theory in the Sanskrit drama of classical India. It was written by the sage Bharata Muni. It is a set of precepts on the writing and performance of dance, music and theatre. While the Natyasastra primarily deals with stagecraft, it has come to influence music, dance, and literature as well. Thus, an argument can be made that the Natyasastra is the foundation of the fine arts in India. The Natya Shastra was created in the beginning of Treta Yug by Brahma on the request of Indra and other devas as an object of diversion (Kridaniyaka). As the lower castes (Shudras) were not entitled to listen to the four Vedas (Sama, Yajur, Rig and Atharav), Brahma created the Natya Shastra as the fifth Veda which was open to all, irrespective of caste and creed. Prior to the creation of the Natya Veda, Brahma entered a yogic trance in which he recalled the four Vedas. He drew the recitative (Paathya) from the Rig, songs (Geeta) from the Sama, histronic representation (Abhinaya) from the Yajur and sentiments (Rasa) from the Atharv. These aspects are the four main constituents of the Natya Veda. When the Natya Veda was ready, the Gods expressed their inability to practise it, and Brahma passed it to Bharata Muni and his one hundred sons who were asked to practise it. The dance was first seen at the Flag Festival of Indra to celebrate the victory of the Devas against the Daahavas. Shiva learnt the Tandava (masculine) form of the dance, whereas Parvati, his consort learnt the Lasya (feminine) form.  The Natya Shastra Elements of Indian Dance Abhinaya: Abhinaya is common to all Classical Indian dances.
Abhinaya is the expressional aspect of dance, or nritya . In
contrast to this, Nritta is composed of only pure
dance and will feature
striking and aesthetic poses, but will have no expressional meaning
and symbolism.
The Navrasas: In addition, the navarasas, or nine emotions, give all dance a completeness that allows the dancer and the rasikas (audience) to experience the full beauty and meaning of the lyrics and the movements they are portrayed by. These emotions are expressed in the eyes, the face, subtle muscle shifts and the body as a whole. They are: hasya (happiness), krodha (anger), bhibasta (disgust), bhayanaka (fear), shoka (sorrow), veera (courage), karuna (compassion), adbhuta (wonder) and shanta (serenity). Slokas specific to Classical dance Slokas or verses which are full of wisdom are central and common to the traditional way of life; that is, life as per the Vedas. Thus it is only natural that we find many verses that pertain to the art of dance. Below I have presented only two, but these are very widely known throughout India and although appropriate to dance, they can fit in happily to all aspects of life. In Bharata Natyam, as in many other dance forms there is an oft-repeated sloka: Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswaraha Guru Sakshaad Parambrahma Tasmay Shri Guruveh Namaha * Aangikam Bhuvanam Yasya Vachikam Sarva Vangmayam Aharyam Chandra-Taradi Tvam Namaha Sattvikam Shivam
The sloka can roughly be translated to mean I bow to you, the ultimate Lord/Guru: * You, whose limbs are the Universe, You, the Originator of all speech, You, whose adornments are the moon and stars, You are The Truth.
The following sloka is: Hastana Artha Pradakshayat Chakshubhyam Darshayat Bhavom Padabhyam Tala Acherait * Yato Hasta Stato Drushti Yato Drushti Stato Manaha Yato Manaha Stato Bhavom Yato Bhavom Stato Rasaha This means:
Let your hands bring out the meaning Your glance should be full of expression While your feet maintain the rhythm * Where the hand goes, there the eyes should follow Where the eyes are, the mind should follow Where the mind is, there the expression should be brought out Where the expression is, there the rasa or flavour will be experienced (by the audience). Below are some of my favourite Classical Dance (esp. Bharata Natyam) sites.
The most up-to-date and
exhaustive
links to all Classical Indian Dances My favourite pictures of Classical Dance Please sign my Guestbook if you enjoyed my page (or not!) See my Guestbook
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Thursday 26th August 1999. Sangeeta Kaul Matu. |
