Author: Eminent Artistes
Editor(s): Alka Raghuvanshi / Avinash Pasricha
Publisher: Wisdom Tree
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 684
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8186685359
Description
Indian classical dances have a tradition that has been distilled to perfection over centuries. For the first time, the actual practitioners of these forms-the dancers themselves-give the insider’s point of view, delineating the origin and history of various styles, the repertoire, technique, the music, the costumes, make-up and specific jewellery. Aimed at an interested but uninitiated audience.
01 Bharatanatyam- Prathibha Prahlad
Bharatanatyam, one of the more popular classical dance forms, is a composite art. Widely practiced in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it is at once a sensual and divine experience. It was performed in the temples by dancers who were called devadasis as an integral part of the religious rituals. The erstwhile princely courts patronized the temples and thus its various traditions, from where the dance form drew its sustenance. The book traces the form’s journey through the ages to the present day.
PRATHIBHA PRAHLAD, with her innovative creativity, Prathibha Prahlad, an outstanding exponent of Bharatanatyam, transcends the mechanical in the traditional framework. She brings to her dance an exciting insight that is a rare combination of talent, intellect and versatility. Her passionate belief in the strength of traditional forms combined with a contemporary understanding of both the print and television make her a modern-day arts crusader: She has been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for her multi-faceted achievements.
02. Odissi-Sharon Lowen
This overview of the classical dance of Orissa spans its historical development from the 2nd century BC. It traverses through the feminine temple dance tradition to the medieval spreading of spiritual consciousness through the bhakti inspired dance of young boys in the gotipua tradition. And most importantly, its revival in the 20th century as part of India’s reclamation of national identity pre and post Independence. The repertoire, training and technique of today’s Odissi is explained with a clarity that students of dance and aficionados of Indian performing arts will find of great value in understanding this lyrical art form.
SHARON LOWEN, has bridged cultures, performing on every continent as well as for television and film in several countries. She carries the tradition forward with over new 25 choreographies. A visiting professor, scholar, and presenter of seminars, exhibitions and other artistes, Sharon came to India with a Fulbright and later American Institute of India Studies Fellowships for Manipuri, Odissi and Chhau. She received her training in Odissi from Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, the undisputed master and architect of the contemporary Odissi repertoire.
03. Kathak-Shovana Narayan
Kathak, north India’s most popular dance form, originated in the Indo-Gangetic plains. This text on Kathak provides an excellent overview of the form, incorporating a wealth of information on its origin and salient features. Tracing its over 2000-year-old history, it answers many of the questions that frequently plague interested viewers as well as connoisseurs. It corrects and puts into proper perspective, a number of misconceptions that are related to the dance form.
SHOVANA NARAYAN, Honoured with the Padmashri in 1992 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1999-2000 for her far-reaching contribution to Kathak, Shovana Narayan has imparted a philosophical and rich textural hue to the age-old tradition. She has taken it out of its narrow confines an imparted it gravity and depth in content, performed with dignity and ennoblement. Shovana’s published works include, Kathak: Rhythmic Echoes& Reflections and The Dance Legacy of Patliputra.
04. Manipuri-R K Singhajit Singh
Manipuri, the classical dance from the eastern-most end of India, is marked by a delicacy that is steeped in tradition. Intertwined with the form are the martial arts and rituals of the region. The book takes one through the subtle nuances of the form of the supernatural to the mythological, concerned as it is with the lives of celestial beings, deities, demons and sages.
R K SINGHAJIT SINGH, is an exponent and teacher who has given the form a contemporary dimension, while remaining steeped in the ancient tradition. His exploration of the idiom has taken the form to concert platforms all over the world. Scion of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur, his approach is innovative and creative in a bid to share the perfection distilled over centuries.
05. Kuchipudi-Raja & Radha Reddy
Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh, was originally a dance-drama form. This is a first-ever attempt to demystify the nuances of a form that has always been the preserve of the males. The dramatic content of the form was passed from one generation to the other without a written script. It was only in the last century that pure dance sequences have been culled out to evolve a style that is distinct from the dance-drama form of the same generic name.
RAJA & RADHA REDDY, it is a case of the dance having become synonymous with the dancers. The duo Raja and Radha Reddy, are perhaps the best known performers of Kuchipudi, who have brought out the form from the village to international concert platforms. Dancers, choreographers and gurus, they have given the form a new idiom, while remaining rooted in the centuries-old tradition. They are a superb example of the union of a strong tradition with intellect and aesthetics.
06. Mohiniyattam-Bharati Shivaji & Vijayalakshmi
One of the seven Indian classical dance form, Mohiniyattam or the dance of the enchantress, traces it’s origins to Kerala. The role of Mohini is exclusively to enchant-moham or enchantment being one of the novel and divine feminine qualities. Many of the Puranic legends described Lord Vishnu, the preserver, appearing in the form of a beguiling damsel to protect the universe from evil. Vishnu transformed himself into Mohini whenever evil prevailed and righteousness had to be restored.
Danseuse BHARATI SHIVAJI is an interesting combination of performer, choreographer and guru. She has been researching in Mohiniyattam for over two decades and has played a significant role in the reconstruction of the dance form, re-orienting and revitalizing its concert format, and expanding the parameters of its technique and idiom.
VIJAYALAKSHMI, belonging to the younger generation of Mohiniyattam dancers, brings to the dancers, brings to the dance form a fresh perspective and insight. Inspired by here mother and guru, Bharati Shivaji’s repertoire, she has tried to present new choreographies by drawing upon traditional and contemporary sources.
07. Kathakali- S Balakrishnan
Kathakali from the southern-most tip of India, Kerala, is characterised by its exaggerated and extravagant style that delves into mythology for its sustenance. The form has been shrouded in mystery and the book tries to demystify the elaborately defined body kinetics and the eloquent hand gestures enhanced by the stylized make-up and costumes.
Sadanam P V Balakrishnan is a rare blend of the purist and the progressive. A respected performer and guru, Balakrishnan is rated as one of the best teachers of this complicated dance form and teaches in many national and international institutions including ARTA of France. Balakrishnan has own many national and international awards in his long and distinguished performing career. He was a the student of Thekkinkattil Ramunni Nair at the Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy and Kizhupadam Kumaran Nair.
Contents
01 Bharatanatyam- Prathibha Prahlad
History and Evolution
Technique
Repertoire and Sequence
Music
Costume and Make-Up
Cognition and Change
02. Odissi-Sharon Lowen
Origin and Development
Historical Development
20th Century Revival
Repertoire
Sahitya
Costume and Make-up
Technique
Music
Odissi Today and Tomorrow
03. Kathak-Shovana Narayan
Origin and History
Sahitya
Technique
Repertoire
Music and Instruments
Costume and Jewellery
Gharanas
New Directions
04. Manipuri-R K Singhajit Singh
Origin and History
Nat Sankirtana
Rasleela
Technique
Theory & Sahitya
Costumes and Jewellery
Music
From temple to stage
05. Kuchipudi-Raja & Radha Reddy
Origin and Development
Technique
Repertoire
Costumes, Jewellery & Make-up
Music
Future of Kuchipudi
06. Mohiniyattam-Bharati Shivaji & Vijayalakshmi
Land of the Mohini
Origin and Evolution
Literary Tradition
Technique
Repertoire
Music and Instruments
Make-up & Jewellery
07. Kathakali- S Balakrishnan
Origin and Development
Sahitya
Training Methods
Sequence of Performance
Make-up and Costume
Music
Gestural Language
Different Styles
Future of the Form