Sangeet Natak Academy

This academy for the progress and welfare of performing arts was established in 1952. The Academy recognizes eight types of dances as 'classical' in India. These are:


1. Bharathanatyam
2. Kuchipudi
3. Mohiniattam
4. Kathakali
5. Manipuri
6. Odissi
7. Kathak
8. Sattriya

Hidtory of Indian Classical dances

The origin of Indian classical dances dates back to the prehistoric period several centuries before Christ. Scientific and archeological evidences endorse this point.

The Myths point out that the 'Thandava nritha' performed by Lord Siva embodies creation, sustenance and destruction. Lord Siva is considered as an embodiment of dance.


Lord Brahma was pressurised by other Dewas to create Something for the enjoyment of the common people. Brahma created a fifth Veda taking out the essence from the four other Vedas. This fifth veda came to be known as 'Natyaveda'. Lord Brahma entrusted this to Bharathamuni to popularize. Bharathamuni was an ascetic who is supposed to be lived between the first and second century. He wrote the first authoritative treatise for Indian traditional dances, called 'Natyasasthra'. Natyasasthra contains the basic principles of all types of dances.


The themes of Indian classical dances are invariably taken  from 'Puranas' and 'Ithyhasas'. As the dance progresses, it passes through three different stages.


a) Nritha:- This constitutes the rhythm created by the instruments that accompany the dance and music.


b) Nritya:- Here the dancer starts dancing to the tune of the music and the percussion instruments that follow. With her/his peculiar foot-work, the 'noopura' anklets follows the instuments and music and the three collectively creates a state of synchronization. At the same time the peculiar 'Bhavas' (emotions) appears and disappears on the face of the dancer and her body also follows the rythmic patterns.


c) Natya:- This is the stage of ' Abhinaya' (miming-acting). As  the story demands different kinds of emotions appear and disappear on the dancers face. (dramatic elements are embedded in the dance recital) The foot-work is slightly reduced at this stage. There are nine different types of' bhavas' (emotions), as follows,


i) Hasya (happiness)
ii) khroda (anger)
iii)Bhibhatsa (disgust)
iv) Bhaya (fear)
v) Vira (courage)
vi) Karuna (compassion)
vii) Adbhudha (wonder)
viii) Santa (serenity)
ix) sringara (love)


Indian classical dances originated in temples. The beautiful girls danced in front of the presiding deity to worship it. The dances in each region of India grew in different ways as per the customs and traditions of that region. The lady dancers in temples were called 'Devadasis'. ( 'worshippers of God'). They were placed in high esteem by the society.


Later on ruling kings of different dynasties came to enjoy the beautiful art form. They began to patronize the dancers. They loved their dance and their bodies also. That was a stage of defamation to the devadasis. People started to see them as prostitutes. However, Indian dances have now regained their glorified past. Dances have now come out from temples to stages. The modern dancers have brought many renovations in the classical dances; but all rooted in the traditional principles of Natyasasthra. 


Now the glory of  Indian dances has spread to various parts of the globe......Read more 

Nrithayoga

The renowned dancer Balasaraswathy once made a remark that nritha (dance) is originally 'nrithayoga'. That is an absolute truth. While dance enthralls the minds of spectators, it acts as yogic exercise for the performer. It invigorates their mind, makes their body powerful and above all keeps away diseases.

This remark of her's points to the fact that talented children should be screened out and given practice in the young ages.

Music, Music

Here.I am Giving old Malayalam and Hindi Musics

A wonderful creation by Devarajan,  sung by beloved 'Dasettan'

Love through pictures!

These pictures are given by Bina Madam, my immediate officer. They are in fact a sign of love. 

Dance, Dance

I don't know when it all started, my relentless love of dance. Perhaps two years back, when my children stared studying classical dance in a Chennai school. (Chennai has a large number of such schools and academies-Know more).

Till that time my world was confined to listening music, cooking, a bit reading and of course office, which according to me is a means of livelihood.

Now, at times I go with my children to their school to watch the children perform. The school functions in a house in the midst of a housing colony. Many foreign students are also studying here. All of them are residing in rented portions of houses in the locality. The upper floor of the house is a hall sufficiently large to teach the children conveniently.

I cuddle up in one corner of the hall as the children study, wrapping myself up in the mystic glory of 'Karnatic' chanting and the rhythmic sound of their 'Noopur' (anklet). The teachers of this school are all well known artists and their monthly fees is quite affordable. That is why we opted for this school.

                                           An amazing song by late Shri. Mohammed Rafi

            

Sattriya

The dance belongs to the State of Assam. It is an Indian classical dance which reflects India's culture, its legacy and heritage of over 5000 years

                                 
                                                         A Sattriya performance