Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is an Indian classical dance form that evolved in the state of Kerala, and is one of the two popular dance arts of the state, the other being Kathakali. Mohiniyattam roots date back to the age-old Sanskrit Hindu text ‘Natya Shastra’. The text describes the basic elements and the structure of two types of dance: the vigorous, high energy Taṇḍavam dance (Shiva) and the gentle, feminine form of dancing and calmingly graceful Lasya dance (Parvathi, Shiva's lover). Mohiniyattam follows the structure and aims of the Lasya dance in Natya Shastra.

Mohiniyattam, also referred to as Mohini-attam, is derived from "Mohini" – a famous female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in Indian mythology. Conventionally a solo dance performed by female artists, it emotes a play through dancing and singing where the song is customarily in Manipravala which is a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam language and the recitation may be either performed by the dancer herself or by a vocalist with the music style being Carnatic.

Kathakali – Music and instruments

Music is an essential element of Kathakali. The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam, a blend of Sanskrit with the local language, Malayalam. Even though the songs are set for “ragas” based on Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of rendition, known as the “sopanam” style, incorporating the moods of temple songs that were sung at the time when Kathakali was evolving. Sopanam has a very slow tempo and is free of embellishments, giving the actors complete freedom to exercise their art of expression.

A Kathakali orchestra is composed of a lead vocalist (“ponnani”) keeping time with a resounding gong made of bell metal (chegala), which can be struck with a wooden stick; and a minor vocalist (“singidi”) with a pair of clanking cymbals (elethalam); a chenda (cylindrical drum with a loud but sweet sound) player and maddalam player. Sometimes a percussion instrument known as an edakka is also used.

Kathakali

Kathakali is one of the Indian classical dance. The word Kathakali means "Story-Play".  Kathakali is an ancient and traditional dance form of Kerala which is distinguished by its elaborately colorful make-up, costumes and face masks wearing actor-dancers. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Kathakali is based on religious themes. They play is mostly based on the two epics 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata'. Popular belief is that Kathakali is emerged from "Krishananattam", the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna. Kathakali is a combination of five forms of fine art like Natyam (Acting or Expressions), Nritham (Ritual Dance), Nrithyam (Enactment), Sangeetham (Music), Vadyam (Instrument accompaniment).

There are about 101 Kathakali stories. Important stories enacted in Kathakali are 'Nala Charitham' (Story from Mahabharatham about King Nala and his wife Damayanthi), 'Duryodhana Vadham' (Another story from Mahabharata about the killing of Duryodhana by the Pandava brother Bhima in Kurukshetra), 'Kalyanasowgandhikam' (Bheema's encounter with Hanuman when the former set out in search for the flower Kalyanasaugandhikam for his wife Draupadi), 'Keechaka Vadham'(Story of the killing of Keechaka by Bhima when the Panadavas were in disguise), 'Kiratham' (Story of Arjuna and Lord Shiva's fight),  and 'Karna Shapadham' (story of Karna from Mahabharata).

Few Famous Bharatanatyam dancers

Rukmini Devi

Balasarswati

Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai

Padma Subramanyam

Alarmel Valli

Yamini Krishnamurthy

Anita Ratnam

Mallika Sarabhai

Mrinalini Sarabhai

YOGA AND BHARATANATYAM

The common factor in the practice of yoga and Bharatanatyam, is the fact that both need to concentrate on the chakras of the body. The chakras lie on the central line of the body that demarcates the left and the right parts of the body (bilateral symmetry). The araimandi stance helps to get a hold of the vertical line on which the chakras lie. The araimandi as the yantra or medium for perceiving pure consciousness is explained in detail by Mohiniattam Guru Mandakini Trivedi in her book “The Yoga of Indian Dance”.

Yoga states that the fingers of our hand represent the ‘Pancha Mahabhutas’ or the 5 elements. Touching one finger with others in different combinations creates circuits in our body through which energy flows. Such a flow of energy allows the body to gain better circulation of blood, indirectly formulating long-term health benefits. The ‘Mayura Hasta’ is similar to the ‘Prithvi Mudra’ in yoga improves the complexion of skin and helps to increase weight. The ‘Trishula Hasta’ matches with ‘Varun Mudra’ is claimed to balance the water content in body and prevent pain due to inflammation or shrinkage of muscles. The ‘Simhamukha Hasta’ is similar to the ‘Apana Mudra’ which regulates diabetes and helps to cure constipation and piles. The ‘Hamsasya hasta’ is similar to ‘Gyan mudra’ increases the memory power, enhances concentration and prevents insomnia.

Bharatanatyam - Hastha mudras

In Bharatanatyam, the whole body is used to express and reach out to the audience. The gestures using one or two hands are an important part of this expression. Hand gestures are divided into two categories:

• Asamyukta Hasta
• Samyukta Hasta

Asamyukta Hasta:

It is done using single hand. They are 32 in number. They are named as Pataaka, Tripataaka, Ardhapataaka, Kartarimukha, Mayura, Ardhachandra, Araala, Shukatunda, Mushthi, Shikhara, Kapitta, Katakaamukha, Suchi, Chandrakalaa, Padmakosha, Sarpashirsha, Mrigashirsha, Simhamukha, Kangula, Alapadma, Chatura, Bhramara, Hamsaasye, Hansapakshika, Sandamsha, Mukula, Tamrachuda, Trishula, Ardhasuchi, Vyaagraha, Palli, Katakaa.

Samyukta Hasta:

It is both hand gestures. They are 24 in number. Anjali, Kapota, Karkata, Swastika, Dola, Pushpaputa, Utsanga, Shivalinga, Kataka-vardhana, Kartari-swastika, Shakata, Shankha, Chakra, Pasha, Kilaka, Samputa, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Garuda, Nagabandha, Khatava, Bhairunda, Avahitta.

Bharatanatyam – Adavu and Hasthamudra

Bharatanatyam is based on the theories of the books 'Natyasaasthram' and 'Abhinaya Darpanam'. According to the Abhinaya Darpanam, the Sangitaratnakara and other medieval treatises, dance is divided into three distinct categories, that is, Natya, Nritya and Nritta. Natya corresponds to drama. Natya means dramatic representation or drama with speech, music and dancing. Nritya corresponds to the mime performed to the song. That is in other words, it is the Interpretative dance. The dance which relates to Sentiment (rasa) and Psychological Staes (bhaava) is called nritya. 

The dance form is based on 'Adavu' (steps) and 'Hasthamudra' (hand gestures). There are 64 basic 'Adavu' and they are divided into 9 parts, on which 'Tatta adavu'(Tap), 'Naata adavu'(Perching on heels), 'Kuddichu mett adavu'(jump and beat), 'Mandi adavu'(sit), 'Sarukkal'(slide) and Tiramana Adavu(Finishing) are very important. Communication is done through 'bhavabhinaya' (facial expression) and 'hasthamudra' (hand gestures). The music of Bharatanatyam is based on Carnatic classical music. The instruments used are Veena, Flute, Mridangam and Violin.

The performance starts with the prayers to God Ganapathi and worship of Nataraja Moorthi. The sequence of the dance performance is 'Alarippu'(invocation), 'Jathiswaram'(note combinations), 'Shabdam'(notes and lyrics), 'Varnam'(a combination of pure dance and abhinaya), 'Padam'(all erotic) and 'Thillana'(again pure dance). After 'Thillana', with a 'Mangala Slokam' the dance program ends. Normally the performance lasts for two to two and half hours.

Bharatanatyam Costumes

The costumes of the dancer are gorgeous. It is usually of richly embroidered brocade or shimmering silk or satin. The costumes are designed for freedom of movement and to showcase the signature half-seated posture (called aria mandi or ardhamandal). There are 2 most popular styles. One is the Skirt style (Saree), which is donned in various artistic manner and the other fashionable version is the Pyjama style. The pleats of the sari are draped in a such a way that it opens out in a beautiful manner which showcases the entire zari work especially during symbolic postures like muzhu mandi, which is a full sitting pose and aria mandi which shows a half sitting pose.

The most common style of stitched costume consists of 3+ pieces for males, 4 pieces for children, and 5 pieces for females:

a pair of loose pants

a large pleated length of fabric that attaches to the inseam of the pants – this creates a beautiful fan between the dancer’s legs during any half-seated or full-seated postures

a sash that goes around the waist

a choli blouse (women and children)

a sash that covers the choli blouse (women)

The Bharatanatyam dancers wear salangai(bells) also called ghungroo around their ankles to accent the footwork and use makeup to enhance the eye and facial expressions. Women wear a veni or semi circle of real or artificial flowers round the bun or plait of the hair. In the centre of the forehead a tika or dot is impressed. 

The most typical items of jewellery are the thalaisaman (head piece), with the rakodi, worn  just above the flowers in the hair, and the Chandrasuryan (moon  and sun) on either side, as the head symbolises the firmament. The ear ornaments consist of three pieces, the maatal (chain), jhimki (hanging earring) and the thodu which fits on to the lobe. For the neck there is the adigai which consists of a choker and pendant, and a longer chain with a broad padakkam or pendant designed in red, green, and pearly stones with peacock or floral designs set in a half-moon like frame. An vanki for the upper arm, gold bangles for the wrist, an odyanam or broad ornament belt completes the ensemble. 

Bharatanatyam

Welcome all, this is my first post….

Today I would like to share history of my favorite dance “Bharatanatyam”. 

Bharatanatyam is one of the popular and oldest dance form in India. The word Bharatanatyam is derived from important aspects of dance:

Bha from Bhavam which means feelings or emotion

Ra from Raagam which means music or melody

Ta from Taalam which means rhythm

And Natyam means dance.

The name Bharatanatyam itself explains it as the dance that encompasses music, rhythm and expressional dance or Abhinaya. This classical dance form originated from the state of Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam was born in temples as an offering to Gods.

Lord of Dance – NATRAJA

 

Nataraja is the divine manifestation of Lord Shiva, assumed as the Lord of Dance especially Bharatanatyam. As a symbol, Shiva Nataraja is a marvelously unified and dynamic invention. In a single image, it combines Lord Shiva's roles as a creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian concept of the never-ending cycle of time.

Origin and the current Form

Natya Shastra is attributed to the ancient scholar Bharata Muni, comprises 36 chapters and it is possibly the creation of more than one scholar. It dates from between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st-century CE. The Naṭya Shastra (Science of Drama) is the earliest and most authoritative Indian text on the performing arts. Then, the dance was performed by community of temple dancers in the ancient temples. The present form of Bharatanatyam as we know it today has been codified and documented by four brothers Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Vadivelu and Sivanandam in the early 19th century. They are also famously known as the Tanjore Quartret. Their dance compositions form the bulk of the Bharatanatyam practiced today.