| Indian classical dance began thousands of years ago as the art of temple
dancers. In the twentieth century it became a performance art outside
of the temples. Classical Indian dance has two basic elements - pure dance
or 'nritta,' and expressional or narrative dance or 'nritya.' The pure
dance incorporates each part of the body into an intricate rhythmical
pattern, building on the natural geometry of the body and the complex
rhythmical patterns of Indian music. Expressional dance uses a complex
and stylized system of gesture and facial expression to praise and tell
the stories of the Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Dance is
an art form that consecrates the body. According to Balasaraswati, one
of the greatest exponents of Bharata Natyam of this century and a great
force in its revival, "The dancer who dissolves her identity in rhythm
and music, makes her body the medium for the experience and expression
of the spirit."
Bharata Natyam
Bharata Natyam originated in the temples of the South Indian state of
Tamil Nadu. Movement, mime and music contribute in equal measure to the
exquisite dance form of Bharata Natyam. Evidence of the antiquity of this
art form is found in the rich literary and sculptural traditions of Tamil
Nadu. Bharata Natyam derives its name from the first syllables of the
three vital elements of dance, Bhava - Expression, Raga - Melody, and
Tala - rhythm. Highly stylized in its technique, Bharata Natyam is evenly
derived from 'nritta' - pure dance and 'nritya' - expressional dance,
which interprets themes from Indian mythology and the epics. For centuries
it was danced by devadasis in the temples of Tamil Nadu, India. The early
decades of the twentieth century saw the revival of Bharata Natyam. Bharata
Natyam is performed today on stage throughout the world. However, the
performance creates a sacred space wherever it is performed.
Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is a dance form which originated in the state of Andhra Pradesh
on the mid-eastern coast of India. It was originally a dance-drama in
which, as in Shakespeare's theater, men danced both male and female roles.
An important part of this tradition is the dramatization of the story
of Satya Bhama, one of the wives of Lord Krishna. The dance is fluid and
feminine. Today Kuchipudi is used in both dance-dramas and shorter compositions.
Odissi
Odissi comes from the state of Odissa on the northeastern coast of India.
It was originally performed by devadasis in the temple of Jagannath. The
dances focus mainly on the subject of Krishna and it is said that the
celebrated masterpiece of the poet Jayadeva, the Geetagovinda, was composed
to be danced in Odissi style by his wife, Padmavati who was herself a
temple dancer. The Odissi style is lyrical - the body from above the waist
rises as if it were independent of the legs and falls and sways with delicate
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