Indian Classical Dance Forms 2023

Table of Contents

Indian Classical Dance Forms 2023: In this article, I will highlight the Indian Classical Dance Forms, types of Indian Classical Dance, Choreography patterns, and changes in Classical Dance over the period.

Indian Classical Dance vs Western Dance:

Choreography in Western Dance may seem limited. But the fact remains that parts of choreography are the essential part of conception in any Western dance creation. But choreography in Indian Classical Dance has not developed to the extent to it has within the West.
This is a result of classical dance starting as an unbiased presentation.
The goal of efficiency and with it the stage is stored altering, and it’s this that impacted the presentation.

Indian Classical Dance History:

Most classical dances have been created to be carried out in temples. Devotion was the only real essence and goal behind efficiency. The dance was a medium of prayer and an intensely private one at that. Naturally, the temple platform and the presence of devotees were sufficient for the presentation. No particular thought was given to the facet of how the presentation may very well be made simpler.

Later, through the eleventh century AD, the dance moved into the courts of the kings.
Instead of the temple platform, artists have been to carry out on a separate half-circular stage.
The devotional undertones have been changed with tenets of pure leisure. This expectation of ‘leisure’ from the artwork type was maybe the rationale why the main focus shifted in direction of the sector of presentation, and due to this fact, choreography in Kathak.

Indian Classical Dance Forms 2023: The shift from a Temple platform to a semi-circular stage introduced all three dimensions of Space (i.e. peak, size, and depth) to the forefront.
It opened up the choice of utilizing three foremost instructions and two sub-instructions on all sides and parts like Utplawan, Challenge, and so on, have been additionally used to make higher use of this Space. The aesthetic facet of dance was slowly gaining extra significance, and as a result of now, the efficiency was for the viewers, not for the ‘self’.

Today, the stage is much more accommodating and, at the identical time, demanding. There is a twin goal to bounce – inventive self-fulfillment by creativity in addition to a visible attraction for the viewers.
And it’s the innovation that has resulted in the achievement of each.

In innovation, it’s important to think about all features of choreography for enhancing its effectiveness. In the context of the up-to-date stage, consideration for all three fundamental parts of choreography i.e. Space, Time, and Energy have to be studied accurately and applied in a technically good method.

Main features of choreography

1. Theme
The theme is an important aspect of the success of any composition. In Kathak, the theme is represented in two methods – Nritta and Nritya.

a. Nritta
In a Nritta-based composition, the repetitive cycle of the Taal is the principal theme. Within a cycle of the Taal varied actions, rhythm patterns, and compositions (which can be ad-lib i.e. Upaj, or pre-fixed i.e. Bandish) are offered in a way to come back again to the primary beat of the cycle (sum) at completion, utilizing the artist’s physique because of the medium.
A musical composition equaling the cycle of the Taal (Nagma) is used because of the measuring scale on this theme.

This theme is simple to know and respect. However, the precise theme to be offered have to be determined primarily based on the viewers. For occasion, complicated mathematically difficult patterns ought to be averted in the entrance of frequent public whereas they are often offered with aplomb at the entrance of connoisseurs.

The Nritta theme, though used predominantly in solo performances, is equally efficient for group displays. A Taal-Mala ( a serial mixture of greater than two Taals to make it as one cycle) presentation, for instance, is simpler in a bunch setting as it might be too long a cycle for solo efficiency when it comes to acceptance by the viewers.

b. Nritya
In a conventional Kathak efficiency, Nritya comes within the type of Vandanas, Thumri, Bhajans, and Gat-Bhavs. In all these, the theme is generally primarily based on varied mythological conditions and characters.
Even Indian audiences usually remark that the themes appear repetitive.
The tales of Radha – Krishna, Yashoda – Krishna, or Rakshas – Sanhar symbolizes basic human feelings and emotions. And whereas these emotions are nonetheless related at present, the context just isn’t.

Radha & Krishna embody the emotion of affection within the Indian Culture, however, they are probably not recognized universally. However, the relationship between a person and a lady is extra generally comprehensible by individuals of any nationality and tradition.

In the present day & age, utilizing a recent theme to symbolize these feelings is a good suggestion, as a result, the viewers can relate to them extra simply and they’re going to even be interested in the novelty. E.g. A Vandana might be made extra related if the sensation of devotion is represented by prayers to Nature as an alternative to a specific God.
Even internationally recognized literature, used as the idea for themes for Indian classical dance, might attraction extra to international viewers and make them conscious of Indian classical dance.

The theme may very well be a frequent problem at present or an anecdote from mythology. But, whether or not it’s Nritta or Nritya, has to be comprehensible, heart-warming, and intellectually stimulating for the viewers.

2. Music
Music is a vital aspect of Indian classical dance efficiency. The choice of music to symbolize any Nritya-based theme should assist the temper. In many instances, simply with the proper music, the dancer can shortly set up the theme being offered.

Elaboration of some features of music

Indian classical music is huge, complete, and properly structured. The Raags are divided as per time zones and have their very own character i.e. they mirror a specific set of ‘moods’.
In Indian classical dance, varied kinds of Malhars are utilized in compositions to symbolize Varsharutu due to the inherent temper they create, which enhances the theme of the dance.

When it involves the impression music could make on the general composition of dance, it may be gauged from the truth that, in many instances, the music evokes a composition itself.

Indian Classical Dance Forms 2023: In many instances, fusion music can be utilized very successfully in choreography improvements. Such music might be a fusion of devices from East & West or may also be of those two differing types.

In Nritta-based themes, several Indian classical music compositions have been used with no modifications in Kathak. These music compositions don’t have any particular theme. The melodious music and appropriate lovely visualization itself are the factors of appreciation. Such themes are common and might attraction to giant viewers, taking Kathak nearer to them.

3. Space:
According to Western ideas, the principal parts of choreography are Space, Time, and Energy. Let us analyze these features within the context of Indian dance.
The foremost parts of Space are instructions, ranges, planes, and quantity.

Directions

In the early instances, Indian classical dance primarily used solely only a few instructions. All ‘Sam’ was directed in direction of the proper and entry was from the left. Hence, the vocabulary of instructions in addition to actions remained very restricted.
But by subsequent improvements by stalwarts, many new instructions have been added and at present, the Kathak vocabulary may be very wealthy and supplies nice scope for creativity.

Numerous work has additionally occurred within the space of use of ranges and planes by many choreographers and Kathak has a knowledge base for using these parts.

4. Energy:
The requirement for power in several parts of Kathak is different. For instance, in a Paran, the power must be thrown out whereas the ‘That’ is an instance of contained power.
So, inside the different parts of Kathak, various kinds of power might be represented. Therefore, in a brand new inventive presentation, totally different power ranges might be very successfully offered by recognized, established parts of Kathak.