http://www.boloji.com Boloji is the world's biggest Articles Database. en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:41:01 GMT http://www.boloji.com/specials/rss.xml Indian Solutions ideas@ekant.com (Ekant Solutions) ideas@ekant.com (Ekant Solutions) http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=11573 Kathakali the classical art form of Kerala is a spectacular blend of dance drama mime and song and is over 300 years old. One can debate whether Kathakali is a stylized dance-drama or a pantomime or a classical ballet. Rabindranath Tagore was deeply impressed by the aesthetic range and the narrative techniques of Kathakali when Kalamandalam presented a program in Santiniketan. The great poet ranked it as the epitome of performing arts in India and included Kathakali in the curriculum of Viswabharati. 29-Oct-2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=11573 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=885 Take Bharatanatyam from the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu today on the east coast not to be mistaken for Kathakali dance-drama of Kerala also of south India but the west coast . Direct records show its most recent incarnation for performance mode as being devised by four brothers collectively called the Tanjore Quartet who served the Maratha rulers of Tanjore in the 18th century. 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=885 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=883 An Arangetram is the first formal presentation of a student to the audience by her teacher. This takes place after the student has completed the basic training. It is only a small stepping stone in the study of this art form. After this is accomplished the student continues to pursue her study of dance. On the day of the Arangetram the student offers her knowledge of this art form at the feet of here Guru and to Lord Shiva Nataraja. On this auspicious occasion the artist ascends the stage with hopes to display her talent while growing closer to god. 05-Aug-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=883 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=881 Dance be it Eastern Western or any genre - from Mumbai to Chicago and London to Cape Town - is a delicate form of mind-body energetic or gymnastics. It is like its sporting corollary emotion in motion - the difference being of degree. Which explains why a dancer has to apply a torque or twisting force - to mind the body and bend the mind as it were. 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=881 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=879 Arangetram is a Tamil language word which means the etram or ascending of the arangu or performance stage by a dancer on the completion of her training. We find the mention of this practice in third century classic Silappadikaram by Prince Ilango Adigal. In his third chapter Arangetrukaadai or the chapter of ascending the stage the poet vividly describes the graduation concert of the twelve- year old dancer Madhavi. 27-Jun-2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=879 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=876 The main element of Swang explains Hekadiya is nakal or mimicry. In the earlier days dramas in the Swang form enacted plays drawn from the epics like Ramdevji Ki Katha stories from the life of Lord Rama Nanibai Ki Mahiro and Veer Tyagj Ki Katha stories of local heroes . All ended with the victory of good over evil. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=876 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=871 Dance is not just about technique or style the clothes the training the discipline and tutelage only take you that far. In the final analysis dance is all about us at last meeting and connecting with our jubilant self. 22-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=871 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=870 Mohiniattam is one of the most lyrical classical dance forms of India originating from Kerala. The word Mohini stands for an enchantress a beautiful woman who seduces others for a particular purpose. Attam means dance. So Mohiniattam is the dance of the enchantress. 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=870 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=867 Whenever I begin a new class with new aspirants from different religious backgrounds or choreograph for some special performance I ponder where to begin. I try and think of songs or themes which are adequate for the situation without any strings attached to a particular faith. It becomes very difficult but somehow I manage to do with some instrumental music. 11-Aug-2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=867 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=866 Down the ages religion has played an important role in influencing our art and culture. The art scene experiences change and shapes itself differently according to the philosophy doctrine and feeling of the religion. While dance is considered as an offering to the divine religions used this as a medium to express its philosophy. Religion and dance are complimentary to each other. 08-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=866 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=864 In this article I have tried to bring into focus the two fascinating aspects of Kathak which are becoming rare day by day. Efforts put into improving and highlighting these two aspects of Kathak include detailed and minute study of those factors and the lack of various elements leading to the downfall of this dance form and also loosing the regality associated with it. For what reasons these forms could not be maintained in the original styles How it all lead to the downfall of these forms 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=864 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=862 Odissi dance is considered one of the oldest based on archeological evidence. The present day Odissi is however a culmination of a process of reconstruction from various dance traditions of Orissa like the Maharis the Goptuas and the Bhandanrutya traditions. Maharis are equivalent to the Devadasis of the South. Goptuas are basically men who dressed themselves like female dancers and danced like the Maharis. Jayadeva s Gitagovinda has enriched the content and style of this form of dance. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=862 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=861 The word Nritta comes from the root Nata . Bharata Saradatanaya and Kumbhakarna have defined Nritta as one which is composed of Karana-s and Angahara-s. It has been also described as one of the components of Angika Abhinaya Ankura Shakha and Nritta. Abhinava Gupta regards Nritta as co-ordination of Hasta and paada kriya. What Abhinava Gupta means by Hasta and Paada kriya is the upper half from the waist and lower half from the waist. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=861 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=859 A Mohini Attam dancer immediately reminds you of the scenic beauty of Kerala in her dance. The movements are beautiful and lyrical and they are always in an unbroken chain from one movement very gently and gracefully merging into another. Though the movements are swaying and gentle the presentation comes out with a tremendous and strong impact leaving the spectator in an atmosphere of grace charm vitality and a forceful vivacity. The graceful and long limbs of a Mohini Attam dancer brings before your eyes the vision of the palm fronds swaying and dancing in the breeze and the movements are like those of a boat bobbing up and down in the back waters. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=859 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=857 The expression Mahari is a derivative of two Oriya words Mahan and Nari meaning divine damsels. They were a professional group a class of sevayats of Lord Jagannath. They consisted of different categories of sebikas assigned different sevas. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=857 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=856 In the 15th century a saint called Siddhendra Yogi codified the movements and enriched the repertoire of the Kuchipudi dance form which was named after Kuchelapuram - the village of its origin. Entire families in this village dedicated themselves to learning and performing this dance although it is interesting to note that it was practiced solely by men. They formed troupes and traveled to neighboring villages performing plays that had underlying moral and religious themes. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=856 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=853 Gurudeb Rabindranath Tagore did usher in a new era by evolving a simple dance form in Santiniketan style of graceful movements based on a combination of Manipur Kathakali of Kenol and other folk elements of India. But that style could not boast of any stylized grammar or footwork based on the rhythmic intricacies and Tagore indeed personally thought it is necessary since his idea seemed to be that everyone should be able to dance in Joyous ecstasy. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=853 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=852 There has always been something mystical about Indian dance adding to its allure and beauty and captivating the hearts of audiences all over the world. It is this mysticism that attracted the attention of western dancers Ruth St.Denis and Ted Shawn of Anna Pavlova Isadora Duncan and Maurice Bejart and influenced their choreography. But it was Uday Shankar and Ram Gopal two innovative exponents of Indian dance who took the western world by storm with their combination of good looks and artistic talents and gave Indian dance a permanent place in the western hemisphere. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=852 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=848 The dance we see today is quite far from the spiritual level of the dance in the past. There is a big gap in the creativity of composers musicians dancers between now and the past. One could see that the dance has evolved from the Vedic ages to the Tanjore Quartet repertoire created two hundred years ago. Yet we are still seeing the Tanjore Quartet repertoire without any further improvisation or development. Any further development has not been seen as successful as when compared to the grandeur and creative genius of Tanjore Quartet times. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=848 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=847 Improvisation is derived from the word improve which has several connotations. It means advance develop make better increase revive strengthen enhance enrich refine decorate etc. In music it means invent and perform on the spur of the moment or make from whatever is available . Precisely musical improvisation means embellishment or decoration interspersed into a composition raga as a part of artistic endeavor to make it aesthetically large as it gets ornamented with different elusive and refined technicalities. 22-Aug-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=847 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=843 Shiva the Lord of dance is said to have created the Universe with his Ananda Tandavam or the dance of joy. It is He we see dancing in the rise and the fall of the waves in the oceans in the volcanoes and the earthquakes in the rotation of the planets and the stars. In the lighting and the thunder. All movements within this cosmos is said to be His dance. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=843 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=842 Ideally and with good musicians both Bharatanatyam and Flamenco dance are improvised as is the music that they dance to. Of course there are cues - ways of marking rhythms so that musician and dancer can communicate a change. In both traditions dancer and musicians must listen to each other and TOGETHER make great music. 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=842 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=839 Sudha Chandrasekhar is the senior-most student of the late great master Gurus Kuppiah Pillai AT Govindraj Pillai and T K Mahalingam Pillai as well as Sri Rajarajeshwari Bharata Natya Kalamandir s current torcherbearer - Guru K Kalyanasundaram Pillai. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=839 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=834 No other single culture perhaps can boast of such a huge variety of folk dances as India can. Indian folkdances have an inexhaustible variety of forms and rhythms from the jubilant and bubbly Bhangra in the Punjab to the quaintly sensuous Lambadi dance in Andhra Pradesh. Dance has been a function of man s life and can be traced back as far as the savage cannibal dances of the primitive man. While the primitive man associated dance with ritualistic agendas the modern man does it for pleasure and an expression of art. But the essence of the form remains the same. 05-Aug-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=834 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=831 A famous painter Paul Klee once said Drawing for me is taking a line for a walk . What do we feel when we look at the great sculptures carved deep in mountain facades all over our country. When we visit Ellora it is a great revelation. The bodies in the stone become so lyrical and live and living as if they will break into a resplendent ensemble. They have just stopped because people around are staring at them. The moment they go they will continue with the sublime joy. 08-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=831 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=830 Bharata has categorized male and female characters into three types on the basis of their nature Prakriti . The nature of a person could itself be divided into several categories. Bharata talks about the Nayaka in his chapter on Prakriti . Since the chapter is on Prakriti or the Nature of human beings. 08-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=830 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=827 The three forms of Chau are named after the district or village where they are performed i.e. the Purulia Chau of Bengal the Seraikella Chau of Bihar and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Orissa. Surprisingly the earlier writers have exercised considerably to understand the origin of the word Chau and to ascertain its classical origin as also they have tried to establish the origin of the word Chau from Sanskrit root word Chaya while others have tried to justify its martial base and the derivation of the word by suggesting that the word Chau is derived from the local dialect meaning an army camp. 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=827 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=824 Bharata Natyam is one of the eight major classical dance forms which originated in south India. It has three main aspects Natya the dramatic element where the dancer tells a story and expresses various sentiments using a very subtle facial expressions and hand gestures Nrtta the abstract dance aspect where the choreography is complex precise and often very rhythmic but with no symbolic meaning and Nritya which employs both dance and drama to emphasize the meaning of the lyric and mood in the music. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=824 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=822 Finding its origin in the fertile land of Punjab that also witnessed innumerable invasions and corresponding hostilities over the centuries Bhangra typically is a male dominated folk dance portraying farmers. Bhangra s female counterpart Gidda is similar in concept - together they synergistically complement each other. The basic movements in Bhangra relate to farming activities like ploughing sowing harvesting and festivities connected with such activities. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=822 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=820 For those not familiar with the term Arangetram is the name given within the South Indian dance tradition Bharatanatyam to a dancer s debut performance. The word comes from two Tamil words Arangam and Erru which together mean to ascend the stage . There are equivalents for the other classical Indian dance traditions - for example the rangapravesh for Kathak or arangmanchpravesh for Odissi but the practice is most established and most popular in connection with bharatanatyam. This dance tradition will therefore provide the focus of the paper. 27-Jun-2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=820 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=816 All forms of Indian performing art portray a religious possession. These art forms being deeply spiritual and devotional are entwined together so intensely and thus are inseparable. As in the so often stated statement of Sharangdev from Sangget Ratnakar - Geetam Vadyam tatha Nrityam Trayam sangeet muchyate - which means that Music includes all three forms of arts i.e. Vocal music Instrumental music and Dance therefore they are interlinked. One of the most prominent dance forms of North India Kathak dance and Hindustani classical music both find their origin in old Hindu Mythology. 22-Aug-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=816 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=814 . 28-Sep-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=814 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=813 Indian Classical Dance is a remarkable world of expressions that takes the dancer and the audience in its own realm. It is a reality that only the dancer and the audiences know. Here is a realm where boundaries walls floor and ceiling cease to exist leaving only space time and music to remain. 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=813 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=812 As a foreigner who adopted Bharatanatyam as her own I would like to share some of my personal experience connected to it. One of it is universality of this dance. The audience of any culture can identify with it above the limitations of the grammar of technique and language of symbols. Of course Bharatanatyam requires a lot of understanding of an Indian culture as well as knowledge of Hindu mythology and philosophy. But the fact is that it is possible for the individual of any race to go deep into it. It is a classical art that not only gives us an entertainment and joy of life but also carries a mental and spiritual education that serves the evolution of human consciousness. 19-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=812 http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=808 . 20-Nov-2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=808