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South
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Dance |
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam, which originates from the state of Tamil Nadu in South India, is
one of the oldest and most popular dance styles in India. The word itself is a
combination of :--
BHARATA NATYAM = BHAVA (expression) + RAGA (musical mode) + TALA (rhythm) NATYAM
(dance)
This style is a direct descendant of devotional dances performed in the temples
of South India from the tenth century to the middle of this century. The art of
Bharata Natyam has been carried by 'nattuvanars' and ritualistic dancers called
devadasis, in the temples of south India.
Bharata Natyam is poetry in motion. Exploring its history in the Natya Sastra,
written by the great sage Bharata,
it is a highly traditional & stylized dance form. Bharata Natyam has been
immortalized in successive generations, as much by the grace of great dancers as
by the nimble fingers of renowned sculptors who have demonstrated the perfection
of Bharata's technique.
Bharatanatyam's blend of the abstract & the emotional is derived from its fusion
of two prime elements, nritta (pure
dance or dance without interpretive meaning) & nritya (expressive dance).
Bharatanatyam derives much of its
intense, dramatic impact from the juxtaposition & contrast with which both
elements are utilized. Nritta comprises
adavus, which are the basic dance units of Bharatanatyam. Each adavu contains 3
essential elements, a basic
standing position (sthanaka), movement of the legs & feet (chari) & decorative
hand gestures (nritta-hasta).
Mayil Attam
This is done by girls dressed as peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and
a glittering head-dress complete with a beak. This beak can be opened and closed
with the help of a thread tied to it, and manipulated from within dress.
Bommalattam or Puppet Show
Puppet shows are held in every village during festivals and fairs. There are
always kinds of puppets used for this show made of cloth, wood, leather, etc.
They are controlled by strings or wires. The persons stand behind a screen and
the puppets are held in front. The stories enacted in the puppet shows are from
Ved-puranas, history and folklore. These shows are very entertaining and hold
both adults and childrens quite for many hours.
Kummi
Kummi is one of the most important and ancient forms of village dances of
Tamilnadu. It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the
participants clapping their hands to keep time. This is performed by women; many
varieties of Kummi, such as, Poonthatti Kummi, Deepa Kummi, Kulavai Kummi, Kadir
Kummi, Mulaipari Kummi etc are known. The women stand in a circle and dance
clapping their hands rhythamically. This dance is usually performed during
temple festivals, Pongal, the harvest festival, family functions like the one to
celebrate the coming of age (onset of puberty) of the girl-child etc. The first
line of the song is sung by the leading lady, which the others repeat.
Kai Silambu Attam
This dance is performed in temples during Navaratri festival. The dancers wear
ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands, which make noise when
shaken. They perform various stepping styles jumps. The dance is in praise of
all female deities, the most preferred being the powerful angry goddess - Kali
or Durga.
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