ARTICLE: CLASSIC INDIAN TRADISIONAL DANCE

HELLO READERS!

Indian classical dance is a relatively new umbrella term for various codified art forms rooted in Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles, whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC).

·         Dances performed inside the sanctum of the temple according to the rituals were called Agama Nartanam. Natya Shastra classifies this type of dance form as margi, or the soul-liberating dance, unlike the desi (purely entertaining) forms.

·         Dances performed in royal courts to the accompaniment of classical music were called Carnatakam. This was an intellectual art form.

For lack of any better equivalents in the European culture, the British colonial authorities called any performing art forms found in India as "Indian dance". Even though the art of Natya includes nritta, or dance proper, Natya has never been limited to dancing and includes singing, abhinaya (mime acting). These features are common to all the Indian classical styles. In the margi form Nritta is composed of karanas, while the desi nritta consists mainly of adavus.

The term "classical" (Sanskr. "Shastriya") was introduced by Sangeet Natak Akademi to denote the Natya Shastra-based performing art styles. A very important feature of Indian classical dances is the use of the mudra or hand gestures by the artists as a short-hand sign language to narrate a story and to demonstrate certain concepts such as objects, weather, nature and emotion. Many classical dances include facial expressions as an integral part of the dance for.

 At the same time a dance style is classical to the extent it incorporates the Natya Shastra techniques. Some of the styles such as Kathak use very few elements found in Natya Shastra. Other art dances yet to be conferred as classical dances, whose theories and techniques can also be traced back to the Natya Shastra are:

1. Andhra Natyam - Telugu art dance
2. Vilasini Nrityam/Natyam - Telugu art dance
3. Kerala Natanam - Kerala classical dance

This is the picture the others Indian classic dance:

(1)Bharatanatyam 

  (3) Kathak

 (2) Kuchipudi  

     (4) Kathakali

(5) Manupuri 

  (6) Odissi  

  (7) Manipuri

For your information, it’s not easy for us to learn how to dance in Indian traditional dance. Its so hard compare we dance like kpop dance or RnB dance. It’s so hard because we must have the passion or instinct with their traditional music. As you know, our chorographer Indian traditional dance Ramli Ibrahim, and as you who he also certificate from International Dance Festival presented by ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) in New Delhi, 2010. So he is the star of Malaysian. We will proud with him.

Ramli Ibrahim before go to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York, October 2008.

Ramli’s Achievements:

• The Fulbright Distinguished Artist Award 1999
• BOH Cameronian Malaysia 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Johan Setia Mahkota (J.S.M.)
• ANGARAG Orissa 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Federation of Associations of Cultural Promotion (FACP), Asia 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Natyanjali Trust/Purush Award, Chennai 2009
• Putera Award 2009 (RMC)

Regards,
Hasanah Rasidi