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South India Dances
Bharat
Natyam
Bharat
Natyam, one of the oldest Indian Classical dance forms is in essence a dedicatory
dance. This was performed by Devadasis in the temples, primarily in Tamil Nadu
and to a lesser extent in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Bharat Natyam is compounded from 'bha' for bhava or emotional projection. 'ra'
for raga or melody and 'ta' for tala or rhythm. Natyam means the art of dance.
Kathakali
Kathakali is the most well known dance drama from the south Indian state of
Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". It is known
for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes. The elaborate costumes of Kathakali
have become the most recognised icon for Kerala.
Kerala presents to the country one of the most imposing and colourful spectacles
of dance Kathakali. It is heroic, majestic and epic in character.
The domain of Kathakali is peopled by superhuman, gods, demons and animals.
So the costume and make-up is also elaborate and colourful. Green is for heroic
characters, black for evil and bearded countenance depicts Hanuman and Bheema.
Being a very exacting art, it demands streneous and long training for body and
facial movements along with body massage and diet control.
Mostly based on mythology and the themes of Ramayana and Mahabharata, a Kathakali
performance opens with the thunder of drums which invites the audiences. The
performance lasts night long and only men perform Kathakali.
Mohini Attam
Mohini
Attam is once of the youngest Indian classical dances.
Mohini means a maiden who excites desire and her dance is known as Mohini Attam.
From the inception itself, Mohini Attam was conceived as a form of social diversion.
The themes of the songs were both religious and social. The costume comprises
a white saree with gold or red border accompanies by gold ornaments on theneck,
waist, wrists and a typical hair-bun with white flowers on the left side of
the head.
Mohini is the enchantress, the feminine incarnation taken by the the god Vishnu
notably to fight the terrifying power of the demons. Many stories tell of how,
in this form, the charm of Mohini suceedseds in diverting the menace of the
demons who succumb to seduction. Dazzled and fascinated by the dance, they forget
the object of their covetuousness.
These myths, in their different versions, have inspired the artists. And Mohini
gives her name to this dance (Attam) of the lasya style , feminine, supple et
gracious. Mohini Attam was dansed in the courts of the sovereigns as well as
in the compounds of temples and was for this reason representative of social
art, the art of the court as well as religious art.
