Dancing in India: the history of ancient art

India is a country where, until now, despite global changes in the world, cultural traditions are cherished and revered. Originating several millennia ago, they continue to play an important role in the lives of Indians. However, not only them. In recent years, throughout the world, and especially in the West, there has been growing interest in the unique culture of this country.

The philosophical doctrines that have been formed for centuries, as well as the architecture, music and dances of India, represent a synthesis of the religious consciousness of the various ethnoses that make up the Indian nation today. At the heart of her culture is the desire of man to unite with the deity.

Shiva is a destroying god and a creator

According to ancient traditions, Brahma, concerned with the disorder in the Earth created by him, decided to create, besides the four Vedas, kept in strictest secrecy, the fifth, accessible to all people. To this end, he taught the sage Bharata the dramatic art, in which music, song and dance were combined. Bharata, in turn, shared new knowledge with Shiva.

This god-destroyer, if he wanted, could also create. With regard to dance, he proved himself in the second incarnation. The same legends say that Shiva, being an unsurpassed dancer, taught this art to his wife Parvati and sage Bharata. The latter, combining the knowledge already with him with those received from Shiva, wrote a voluminous work dedicated to theatrical skill - "Natyashastru."

Together with other sages, Bharatha distributed his treatise to the common people. As a result, the work of "Natyashastra" had a huge impact on the songs and dances of India. Both arts were closely intertwined with religious beliefs. Even today, mythological content prevails in the choice of song themes and in the dances themselves.

Temple culture of India

Dancing has always been one of the main components of Indian art. Originating about five thousand years ago, they eventually reached the highest development, while paying tribute to ancient traditions.

The surviving panels, friezes and sculptural images show that India's dances from the very beginning were part of a religious cult. Until now, in the temples you can see the halls intended for ritual dances. In fact, they accompanied any religious rite.

Temple dancers - devadasi - were considered keeper of this age-old classical art. Themselves dances were considered as a spiritual practice, which, along with yoga, is able to bring emotions and body into harmony. True, it is possible to achieve such spiritual development only under one condition: one must dance with selflessness.

The ritual temple dances were based on stories from ancient epic works, such as the Mahabharata or Ramayana, as well as from the sacred writings of Hinduism. Temple dancers were highly respected, but the British colonial policy towards devadasi led to a gradual decline in the art of ritual dance.

Music as part of "Natyashastra"

Ancient literary monuments indicate that in India there is a specific perception of music, conditioned by religious beliefs and ethnic diversity of the country. On the one hand, it has become part of everyday life, and on the other hand, a means of connecting physical phenomena with spiritual ones.

The music and dances of India are closely interrelated, in addition, they are united by a certain form of theatricality. For example, the nature of a work determines the gestures, postures and expression of performers.

The treatise "Natyasastra" described in detail various kinds of sacred melodies, instruments and songs. Already in ancient times, the Indians considered it possible to reproduce the most profound experiences with the help of music and dance.

In the representation of the inhabitants of Hindustan, both arts are a gift of the gods, therefore, they have a strong impact not only on people, but also on birds, animals, plants and the forces of nature. With their help you can tame snakes, extinguish flames, cause rain, etc.

Features of Indian dance art

The dances of Ancient India from the very beginning had a number of distinctive features. Firstly, it was not just a set of repetitive movements, as it can be seen in the folkloric dances of other nations, but a full-fledged history, outlined by the striking language of choreography.

Secondly, each performer put his vision of the world and the power of mastery into the dance. Thus, using certain steps, hand movements and facial expressions, he gave the audience a whole range of feelings and even events.

These features of Indian dance art have survived to the present day, despite the fact that it has almost lost its religious essence, moving into the category of colorful entertainment.

Folk folklore

A huge number of nationalities living in India, determines the cultural wealth of the country. Each state and region have their own characteristic dances, music, make-up, costumes. Many Indians in childhood are taught the art of traditional choreography or playing a musical instrument.

In folk dances, religious subjects are rarely found, and virtuosity and grace of movements are not so important as in classical ones, so everyone can perform them.

Although the folk dances of India have absorbed certain elements of traditional choreography, still they are dominated by topics related to everyday life: the cycle of agricultural work, the birth of children, the wedding, etc.

Eternal classic

Until the twentieth century, the dance in India was part of the temple rite, in which the sacred meaning was invested. The costumes of the performers included a large number of ornaments: gold bracelets, foot bronze bells, a ring in the nose, an ear-connected chain, a necklace, and a crown crowned with a hoop with a suspension.

The classical dances of India are a complex choreographic art whose movements were canonized in the above mentioned treatise "Natyashastra". According to this ancient guidance, the triad of elements of Natya, Nritta and Nritya constitute the classics of dance.

Nathieu includes certain poses, gestures, facial expressions and speech artist. Nritta is actually the dance itself, which consists of repetitive rhythmic elements. Nritya is a combination of the two previous components, whereby the meaning in dance is expressed. The training of Indian choreography begins with the learning and working out of movements, which takes 5 to 9 years.

The most ancient styles

The dances of India include seven classic styles, four of which number hundreds of years. The oldest of these is Bharatnatyam, based on ancient mythology. This dance-prayer was performed by the temple devadasi dancers in honor of the god Shiva.

His movements are carried out on strict geometric trajectories: eyes, hands, head draw then triangles, then straight lines, then circles. All this gives Bharatnatyam linearity.

Another dance, the Kathak, used the Brahmin priests to expound their teachings about Krsna. It is very noticeable Muslim influence, as it was popular at the court of the Mughal dynasty, which ruled India for two hundred years.

Kathakali - dance-drama, can be performed by young people throughout the night. Its main theme is heroism, and the ancient Ramayana epic is used as a source of inspiration .

Manipuri is a graceful, but at the same time close to folk dance style, which tells of the relationship of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

Bollywood Masala

Speaking about the history of Indian dance, it is impossible to ignore the huge interest in it in the modern world. Not the least role in its popularization was played by cinema.

Thanks to him, a new style appeared - Bollywood Masala, in which traditional Indian expression combined with the achievements of Eastern and Western choreography. This is the most popular dance style among all those who are keen on the culture of this country.

Definitely one can say that the dances of India with their ancient history and choreography, which has no analogues in the world, represent the cultural heritage of all mankind. After all, they develop an aesthetic taste, discipline, give spiritual strength and help express their feelings through rhythmic movements.