Indian Classical Dance

Notes

Source text: Natya Shastra (Bharata Muni).
Recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi (8): Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya (added 2000), Manipuri and Mohiniyattam.
Components:
- Nritta: pure dance.
- Nritya: expressional dance.
- Natya: drama.
Abhinaya (4 types): Angika (body), Vachika (speech), Aharya (costume), Satvika (emotion).
Rasa: 9 rasas (Shringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Veera, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta).
Tandava is vigorous (masculine) and Lasya is graceful (feminine).
Other dances:
- Kuchipudi (Andhra): Siddhendra Yogi, Tarangam (dancing on a brass plate).
- Odissi (Odisha): tribhanga posture, Mahari tradition, Konark and Jagannath links, Kelucharan Mohapatra.
- Kathakali (Kerala): elaborate makeup (pacha, katti), a dance-drama with no spoken words.
- Mohiniyattam (Kerala): lasya style, women, white-and-gold sari.
- Manipuri (Manipur): Raslila, gentle movements, Pung Cholom drum.
- Sattriya (Assam): Sankaradeva's Vaishnava tradition, Ankiya Nat.

Key Points

Chhau, Garba and Bihu are folk/tribal, not classical.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi (1952) recognises classical dances. The Ministry of Culture has separate roles.
Classical dances share Natya Shastra principles but differ in style, music and costume.

MCQs

The text on which Indian classical dance is based is:
(a) Abhinaya Darpana (b) Natya Shastra (c) Sangita Ratnakara (d) Bharatamuni Purana
Which was added as the 8th classical dance in 2000?
(a) Mohiniyattam (b) Sattriya (c) Chhau (d) Manipuri
Which dance is known for the tarangam (plate dance)?
(a) Odissi (b) Kuchipudi (c) Kathakali (d) Manipuri

Answers: 1-b · 2-b · 3-b