Simply Beautiful

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Here I began a series showing India in its various forms. Be a part of it!

Festival Of Dance - India!

By the name it goes as Ananya meaning - the unparalleled - is a festival of dance featuring the major Indian Classical Dance Forms on one platform. Its perhaps the only one of its kind. Presented by Delhi Tourism and Seher, it brings the contemporary creativity to life. Sited at ancient monuments and temples it attracts a lot of visitors each year.

We begin with some of the Major Dance forms of South India -

Kathakali - In this the dance dramas are based on the stories of the two main Indian Epics - Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It began from the rivalry of two leading princess of South India. One of them had the story revolving around the life of Lord Krishna, called Krishnattam and the other had the story around King Rama known as Ramattam. Both combine the skills of Martial Arts of Kerala.

Mohiniattam - The dance of enchantress, its the dance of a woman who is able to attract people instantly. The story behind the dance goes like - Lord VISHNU had disguised himself as a beautiful women with an intention to slay Bhimasura and also during the churning of the sea. Hence the dance forms depicting these stories.
It was restricted to Devdasies in the old time but now is presented by Men only. The basic dance steps are the Adavus which are of four kinds : Taganam, Jaganam, Dhaganam and Sammisram. These names are derived from the nomenclature called Vaittari.
 The movements are slow and graceful and the costumes simple and sober.

Katahakali - A unique combination of literature, music, painting,acting and dance; it has its roots in the Indian Culture.
Its unique in the sense that even though dance is a form of it, its not the main part. The main part is the acting segments which make the Kathakali dance. The body movements, the hand gestures and the expression of the eyes is the main part of the dance. Chenda(Drum played with sticks) Maddalam(Drum played with fingers), Chengila(Gong) and Ilathalam(Cymbals) make the main part of the music behind the dance. The headgear worn by the dancers is made of wood and takes hours to make one.

Next we will take up the North India.....

Comments

Raghav said…
hey! mukti i like your blog yaar i think i should start reading blogs.... tusi great ho yaar...
August 24, 2007 at 12:44 AM
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