Natya Shastra is a classic work about dramaturgy in Sanskrit. Dramaturgy is the theory of dramatic atmosphere that includes dance as well. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Natya Shastra was composed by the sage Bharata which is dated between 200 BCE and 200 CE. The literal meaning of natya is the theatrical dance art of India. This theatrical dance art was started in temples which included a complex body positioning method, hand movements, and foot movements. Natya shastra were performed in the dedication of the holy sagas. Dance is a form of non-verbal communication through which one can express their complex feelings and emotions.
Indian Classical Dance or 'Shastriya Devesh' is a paragliding term for various performing arts deeply entrenched in religious Hindu musical theatre styles, the theory and practice of which can be attributed in Natya Shastra. The ‘Sangeet Natak Academy’ identifies eight classical dances in India which are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Sattriya. Historically these dances are regional, all of them contain music and recitation in local or Sanskrit language and reflect a convergence of central ideas in a range of forms, costumes and expression.
Nataraja
THE ORIGIN OF INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE
According to the Hindu Mythology, there are four vedas which are large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. The four vedas are Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda and Atharva-Veda. On request of Lord Indra, Lord Brahma came up with the fifth veda which is known to be Natya Veda that was drawn from the essentials of four vedas. Bharata Muni was given the responsibility of creating the first play. Following the first good performance it was presented on Mount Kailash before Shiva, the Celestial Dancer. Lord Shiva was greatly moved and is known for his Sandhya Tandava, his twilight dance. "Brahma & Bharata" pleaded Lord Shiva for the dance knowledge. Then the Lord of the Worlds bids Tandu to welcome his devotees into the mysteries of the hard art. Tandu goes on to teach the 108 Karanas to Bharata. Karana means 'action' and implies a coordinated movement of the body, the hands and the feet in the sense of dance. Natya Shastra recognises 108 karanas or units of dance. Thus, all Indian dance has its roots from the tandava of Lord Shiva according to the Natya Shastra. Tandava is a dance of vigour, heroic and sacred. Lord Shiva is pre-eminently a deity that communicates its divinity by dance.
In India the art of dance has always been integrated with sculpture, architecture, ritual and doctrine. There is no clearer example for that than the karanas. Indeed, we know about these 108 dance movements from their characterization in the Natya Shastra, we also have sculptural pictures of them in temples in South India where they are ritually significant. In abhinaya (acting) all classical dances of India used similar symbolism and gestural rules. The origins of abhinaya are discovered in the Natyashastra text, which defines the drama in verse 6.10 as that which, through the medium of actor's art of communication, visually awakens joy in the observer, which helps connect and transport the individual into an ultra-sensual inner state of being. In classical Indian dances the artist conveys spiritual ideas successfully by charging attention to four aspects of a performance:
Angika – body gestures
Vachika – music and rhythm
Ahaarya – stage setting and costume (including makeup and jewellery)
Sattvika – artist’s mental and emotional connection with the audience
Picture Credits: istockphoto.com
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Very informative.