Classical Dances of India - Classes commencing from 1st July 2011

In Hindu mythology the whole universe is the dance of the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja, a name for Lord Shiva, the Hindu ascetic yogi and divine purveyor of destruction of evil. The symbolism of the dance of Shiva (in the form of Nataraja) is represented by the attitude called "Ananda Tandavam". Also known as the cosmic dancer, he is here the embodiment and manifestation of the eternal energy in five activities creation, destruction, concealing, apparations  and favoring, bestowing grace through a manifestation that accepts the devotee. Shiva is depicted dancing on the dwarfish body of the demon Apasmara purusa, "forgetfulness, loss of memory" -- who represents ignorance, the destruction of which brings enlightenment, true wisdom, and release from the bondage of existences. 

Kuchipudi 

Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian dance form from Andhra Pradesh, India. Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal.  Kuchipudi flourished as a dramatic form of dance for hundreds of years.  It was held in high esteem by the rules of the Deccan.  For instance Tana Shah in 1678 granted the lands around Kuchipudi to the Brahmins who performed the dance.The performance usually begins with some stage rites, after which each of the character comes on to the stage and introduces him/herself with a small composition of both song and dance to introduce the identity, set the mood, of the character in the drama. The drama then begins. Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a light weight wood called Boorugu

The songs in Kuchipudi are mimed with alluring expressions, swift looks and fleeting emotions evoking the rasa. Tarangam of Kuchipudi which is unique in that the dancer must dance upon a brass plate, placing the feet upon the raised edges. The dancer moves the plate with much balance as the indiviudal is traditionally dancing on the plate. In expressional numbers a dancer sometimes chooses to enact the role of Satyabhama, the proud and self-assured queen of Lord Krishna, from the dance-drama Bhama Kalapam. She goes through various stages of love. When in separation from Lord Krishna, she recalls the happy days of union and pines for him. At last they are reunited when she sends him a letter.

One more number from the Kuchipudi repertoire that deserves mention is Krishna Shabdam, in which a milkmaid invites Krishna for a rendezvous in myriads of ways giving full scope for the dancer to display the charms of a woman.

Bharatanatyam 

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu, It is held as the national dance of India. It has its inspirations from the sculptures of the ancient temple of Chidambaram. It was nurtured in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times. . The art was handed down as a living tradition from generation to generation under the Devadasi system under which women were dedicated to temples to serve the deity as dancers and musicians forming part of the elaborate rituals. These highly talented artists and the male gurus (nattuvanars) were the sole repository of the art until the early 20th century when a renewal of interest in India's cultural heritage prompted the educated elite to discover its beauty.
Bharata Natyam is considered to be a 'fire dance' — the mystic manifestation of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body. It is one of the five major styles (one for each element) that include Odissi (element of water), Mohiniattam (element of air), Kuchipudi (element of earth) and Kathakali (element of sky). The movements of an authentic Bharatanatyam dancer resemble the movements of a dancing flame. Bharata Natyam is generally practiced as 'Dance Yoga', a sacred meditational tradition, by the orthodox schools.
Bharata Natyam proper is a solo dance, with two aspects, lasya, the graceful feminine lines and movements, and tandava  (the dance of Shiva), masculine aspect, which is identical to the  Yin and Yang in the Chinese culture.

Bharata Natyam is the manifestation of the ancient idea of the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the material body. The costume should be charmingly beautiful and love is its foundation.

Odissi

Odissi refers to the dance style of the state of Orissa in eastern India. Over the years Odissi has become one of the most popular classical dance styles.

Like other Indian classical dance forms, Odissi has two major facets: Nritta or non-representational dance, in which ornamental patterns are created using body movements in space and time; and Abhinaya, or stylized mime in which symbolic hand gestures and facial expressions are used to interpret a story or theme.

The divine love tales of Radha and the cowherd God Krishna are favourite themes for interpretation. A typical recital of Odissi will contain at least one or two ashtapadis (poem of eight couplets) from Jayadeva's Gita Govindam, which describes in exquisite Sanskrit poetry the complex relationship between Radha and her Lord.

Tribhangi

The technique of Odissi includes repeated use of the tribhangi, or thrice deflected posture,

in which the body is bent in three places, approximating the shape of a helix. This posture and the characteristic shifting of the torso from side to side is the epitome of fluid grace and has a distinctively lyrical quality that is very appealing.

 Kathak 

Kathak is the major classical dance form of northern India.  The word kathak means "to tell a story".  It is derived from the dance dramas of ancient India.  When the patronage shifted from the temples to the royal court, there was a change in the overall emphasis.  The emphasis shifted from the telling of religious stories to one of entertainment.  Today, along with the story-telling aspect the dance is also primarily an abstract exploration of rhythm and movement.

This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances, and the influence of the bhakti movement. From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and Central Asian dance which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era.

The structure of a conventional Kathak performance tends to follow a progression in tempo from slow to fast, ending with a dramatic climax. There are also compositions consisting solely of footwork.

Often the performer will engage in rhythmic 'play' with the time-cycle, for example splitting it into triplets or quintuplets which will be marked out on the footwork, so that it is in counterpoint to the rhythm on the percussion.

Travelcalutta provides you the unique experience of learning these Dances of India. Join in, in this wonderful experience and take back a slice of India’s unique culture to your land.

Ofcourse it takes years to master a particular form. We provide a one month preliminary package and then it is upto you to decide if you want to go deep and learn the trait or just skim the surface and get a taste.
Once you get involved in the dances we also give you the chance to visit the places from where the dances have originated, so you get the deepest feel of each Classical Dance of India.


Mail us : travelcalcutta@gmail.com call us on surendra sharma 09062573227