Bharatnatyam & Indian Dance Forms

• Classical dance possesses particular steps performed at specific events, mainly in temples.
• Folk dance lacks defined steps and is performed in particular rituals.
• Sangeet Natak Academy recognizes 8 classical dances.
• The Ministry of Culture recognizes 9 classical dances, including Chhau.
• Nritta is pure dance.
• Nritya is expressive dance, combining pure dance with expression.

Literary Sources of Indian Dance

• Natya Shastra is considered the 5th Veda and was written by Bharat Muni
• Abhinaya Darpan was written by Nandikeshvara

Bharatnatyam

• Bharatnatyam is a classical dance from Tamil Nadu.
• The name comes from the words: Bhav, Raagand, Taal.
• It symbolizes fire
• Bharatnatyam is India's oldest classical dance.
• The dance is performed solo by a single person, known as "Ekaharya".
• Old names for Bharatnatyam include Sadir, Thevarattam, and Parathaiyarattam.
• E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale championed the name Bharatnatyam.
• Bharatnatyam is also Dasiattam and Sadirattam.
• Devadasis traditionally performed it in temples.
• E. Krishna Iyer revived the art form.
• Britishers banned it in 1910
• Bharatnatyam is associated with the Kalakshetra Style.
• It primarily embodies two forms or devotion, Shaivite for Shiva and Vaishnavite for Vishnu
• Lasya: Feminie represented by Parvati
• Tandava: Masculine represented by Shiva
• Silappathikaram by Ilango Adigal describes the love story between Kavalan and Kannagi, and Madhavi composed during the 2nd sangam.
• Manimekalai is also described
• Some Brahman families have been performing this ancient dance for generations.
• They are traditionally from Tanjore and called Nattuvanars
• The families of Last Dasi, and Muthufkannamal
• Styles: Pandanallur, Vazhuvoor, Kalakshetra, Melattur and Tanjore
• Stages: Alarippu (flowers), Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana, Mangalam

Exponents of Bharatnatyam

• Alarmel Velli is also related to Oddisi and performs in the Pandanallur Style
• Rukmini Devi Arundale was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1956
• She was the first woman to be nominated in Rajya Sabha, and founder of Kalakshetra Dance School in 1936
• Sonal Mansingh was the youngest recipient of Padma Vibhushan in 1992
• Kataka, Mukta Hasta and Main Mudera are gestures used
• Rama Vaidyanathan
• Meenakshi Chittranjan
• Nartaki Natraj
• Urmila Satyanarayanan
• MK Saroja
• Radha Sridhar
• Deepak Mazumdar
• CV Chandrashekhar
• Hema Malini

Kuchipudi

• Kuchipudi symbolizes Earth.
• Carnatic Music accompanies Kuchipudi
• Classical dance from Andhra Pradesh (Krishna District).
• Known as Bhagavata Mela Dance
• Yakshagana was performed in earlier times in villages
• The modern form is Tirtha Narayanayati
• Sidhyendra Yogi (Vaishnavite) was a disciple
• Sidhyendra Yogi is known for Bhamakalpham
• Sidhyendra Yogi developed the dance drama Bhama Kalapam
• Bhama Kalapam is the story of Satyabhama, jealous wife of Lord Krishna.
• Balasaraswati and Ragini Devi revived it.
• Krishna Leelatarangini composed by Teerthanarayana Yogi.
• Elements: Ganesha Vandana, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Kalapam concluding part, Padam, and Tarangam
• Tarangam is when the dancer dances on a rim of a brass plate
• Brahmin Boys used to be the only one who performed it
• Anyone with the surname Reddy is probably related to Kuchipudi
• Raja Reddy, Radha Reddy, Padmaja Reddy, Bhavana Reddy, Yamini Reddy
• Yamini Krishnamurthy also does Bharatnatyam
• Mallika Sarabhai has been awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan

Exponents of Kuchipudi

• Vempata Chinna Satyam
• Aparna Satisham
• Lakshmi Narayan Shastri
• Vedanta Satyanarayan
• Swapna Sundari
• Shobha Naidu won Kaliyuga Satyabhama by Raja Reddy

Mohiniyattam

• This is a graceful dance that can be called an avatar of Lord Vishnu
• Symbolizes Air
• Associated with Lord Vishnu
• Associated with the term “Mohini"
• Dance form of Kerala
• Performed solo by a female
• References seen in ancient text: Vyavaharmala
• Vyavaharmala was written by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namputiri
• No abrupt jerks and dance performance is very smooth.
• It was revived by Swati Terunal and VN Menon
• There are 24 hand gestures
• Elements: Cholkettu, Jatiswaram, Padavarnam, Padam, Saptam, Tillana and Slokam

Exponents of Mohiniyattam

• Mohini
• Gopi
• K Kan
• Me Suna Jay
• Radha Krishna
• Ki Amma
• Mohiniyattam
• Gopika Verma
• Kanak Rele
• Sunanda Nair
• Jayprabha Menon
• Radha Dutta
• Pallavi Krishnan
• Kalyanikutty Amma
• Kalyanikutty Amma revived the dance form
• Founder of Keral Kalyanam, 1952
• Sangeeta Natak Akadami Award received in 1974

Kathakali

• Abarya: costumes and makeup
• 24 hand gestures
• The name means Katha (story), Kali (performance)
• There are 5 major Veshan
• The face is green colored which represents strength
• Pacha: Green
• Thaadi: Beard
• Kari: Black
• Kathi: Evil/arrogant but Rediant
• VN Menon revived the dance form
• Shows the Win of good over Evil
• Classical Dance of Kerala
• Performed by a Male
• Based on the epics of Ramayan and Mahabharata
• Forms: Natyam, Nritham, Nrithyam, Sangeetam and Vadya
• Elements: Kelikottu, Thodayam, Purappadu, Tiranokku, Ilakiyattam and Kalasam
• Kalaripayattu is a type of Martial dance

Exponents of Kathakali

Trick: Gopi ko Bal Milena na mile Kuch Kali mil jaye

• Milena Salvini
• P.V. Balkrishna
• Kunchu Kurup
• Gopi Nath
• Kottakal Nandakumaran Nair
• Mrinali Sarabhai

Kathak

• It is only a classical dance
• This dance is performed in Hindustani music
• It is a classical dance of Uttar Pradesh
• The name originated from "katha” meaning “story”.
• Only classical dance to feature Persian elements
• Performed in Thumri music
• Performed in Urdu ghazals
• Mughals patronized this dance
• Last Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah
• 3 Gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras
• Lucknow: Wajid Ali Shah
• Jaipur: Bhanuji
• Banaras: Janki Prasad
• Elements: Amad, Thaat, Tukra, Paran, Jugalbandhi, Tarana, Kramalaya Ghat, and Bhaav

Exponents of Kathak

Trick: अरे महारज नारायण और देवी में आस्था रखो, उनका प्रसाद खाओ विद्या मिलेगी, लखपति बनोगे और सब मंगल होगा।

• Birju Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj, Achhan Maharaj
• Shovna Narayan
• Sitara Devi
• Kamini Ashtana, Nalini Asthana
• Narayan Prasad, Kalka Prasad, Ishwari Prasad
• Vidhya Gauri Adgar
• Kumudni Lakhia
• Aditi Mangal Das
• Some other exponents include: Gopi Krishan, Rani Kasna, Geetanjali Lal, and Maulik Shah
• Birju Maharaj is from Kalka Bindadin Gharana (Lucknow)
• He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1986
• Dance school: Kalashram, 1998
• Madhuri Dixit starred in Devdas
• Deepika Padukone starred in Mastani

Oddissi

• Symbolized Water
• Classical dance of Odisha
• The dance style is associated with Mahausts temples
• The dance is performed by Boys
• Elements include: Mangalacharan, Batu Nritya, Pallavi, Tharijham, and Moksha

Exponents of Oddissi

• Any name with MOHAPATRA or MOHANTY is related to it
• Kelucharna Mahapatra (Father of Odissi won Padma Vibhushan in 2007
• Sujata Mahapatra
• Leela Mohanty
• Niharika Mohanty
• The Modern form of Odissi is called Pankaj Charan Das
• Shagun Bhutani
• Gangadhar Pradhan
• Madhavi Mudgal
• ODDISI
• Bijayni Satpathy
• Sunjukta Panigrahi
• Sudhakar Sahu
• Protima Gauri founded Nrityagram dance village & popularized Odissi
• Kiran segal, Mayadhar Raut, and Indrani Rehman also are exponents

Manipuri

• It is Vaishnavite
• Classical dance from Manipur
• Introvert type of dance form
• Based on Vaishnavism
• Vaishnavite form of dance
• Ashtapadis of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda are sung
• 3 Forms: Raas Leela, Sankritana, and Thang Ta
• Raas Leela: Radha and Krishna and Jagaoi and Cholom
• Sankritana: Jagoi and Cholom, Martial Dance
• Thang Ta: Martial Dance
• Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra is known
• The Pung Drum is used to perform Dances that are Masculine
• Some Exponents include Jhaveri Sisters, Bimbavati Devi is part of that surname (Kalavati Devi and Gambhiri Devi)
• Guru Bipin Singh was given the title Hanjaba by Manipur King
• Charu Mathur, Devyani Chalia, Aluna Kabuini, Nileshwar Mukherje, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh

Sattriya

• Vaisnavite form of dance from Assam
• Included in 2000
• Father: Srimanta Shankaradeva
• Themes are related to Lord Krishna
• Assam's music is Borgeet
• Ankiya Naat dance is Bhaona (Presentation of Ankiya Naat)
• Dance numbers: Chali, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi
• No theatre components
• Jatin Goswami
• Bhupen Hazarika was Awarded Bharat Ratna in 2019

Indian Dance Institutions

• Sangeet Natak Akademi / Indian National School of Dance in Dethi
• Kalakshetra school of Dance by Rukimani Devi Arundele in Modern Bharathatyam
• National Inst. of Kathak-1964 is found in [New Dethi?
• Nehru Manipur Dance Akadmy in Imphal (1982)
• Gorudji Nautiyalaya. in Manipus
• Darpana Akademy in Amhedbad was founded by Marinalina Sarabila.
• Nalanda Neitya Kala Mahavidydayain Mumbai
• Kalashram kathet schools in Bisji Maharaj
• Kadam School of Kathak/ - 1968 in New Delh
• Ahmedlabad. also founded by Kumudini Lakhia

One Liners

• Dance forms are being refashioned as a theatre art and exhibited both at home and abroad through Bharatnatyam
• Yamini Krishnamurthy: Resident dancer of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam
• Guru Sashadhar Acharapakkam awarded Padma Shri in 2010 for his contribution in Chhau Dance
• KADAMB Centre for Dance in 1964 was founded by Kumudini Lakhia
• National Nritya Shiromani Award 2022 awarded to Aparna Satheesan for Kuchipudi
• PADMA Subramanyan is a Famous personality of Bharatnatyam