A Popular folk dance of Maharashtra - Lezium

Lezim is folk dance of Maharashtra, India. In this dance the dancers carry a wooden or metallicrod with metal discs attached to it on a string which produce a jingling sound.This instrument is called Lezim, that's where the dance gets its name from.The dancers dance to the rhythm given by the Dholki (type of Indian drum). It is a kind of sport dance. When i was in school , our PE teacher would take us down to the school grounds and make us practice the Lezim dance. We would then perform it at our annual sports meet. This dance is popularly seen during theGanapathi festivals all over Maharashtra. The dancers follow certain counts and keep to the rhythm while arranging themselves into different formation. I hope they keep teaching young children such folk dances in school so the children are able to keep such bright and beautiful traditions alive.

Gotipua Dance

Gotipua is danced by young boys. It dates back to the 17Th century. This dance form is said to the precursor to the Odissi dance form.The " Bandha Nritya" or acrobatic dance performed by these dancers is a treat to watch. One can see the amount of intense training that these boys have to undergo from young age to achieve such agility and flexibility. They have to perform all these acrobatic poses while keeping to the beat.

The best piece of co-ordination

Today's video took my breath away. This dance piece is called "Thousand Hand Guanyin". As i further read up on it i found out that this dance show Bodhisattva Guanyin associated with compassion and is usually depicted as female. The co-ordination of the dancer shows their hard work and teamwork. Its like watching dance in 3D. Can you believe these dance actually suffer from hearing impairment and  are performing on the signals given to them by trainers on the sides. Wow isn't it?

Yakshagana

Yakshagana is style of dance drama belonging to the Kanara,coastal region of Karnataka. This dance drama is usually performed by men and boys. The stories of these dramas like all Indian art forms derive inspiration from Ramayan and Mahabharat. As we see in the video clip the actors not only dance in course of their performance but also sing and deliver lines. The elaborate makeup and costume makes this style closely related to Kathakali. While watching this style I remembered a similar kind of dance drama style ( the Barong Dance) I had an opportunity to see in Bali,Indonesia. The common elements that i found in both these styles of dance drama is the elaborate costumes and makeup as well as that in both these styles the performers danced, sang and delivered lines. Now I wonder did the Indian movie industry find their inspiration in these dance dramas as we see all the above three elements in our movies.Whats your take on it?

The Great Bal Gandharva - Actor singer and a legend of Marathi Theatre

Narayan Shripad Rajhans, better known as Bal Gandharva (Young Gandharva) was one of the greatest Marathi actors and singers who made the Sangeet Natak (musicals) theater style famous.  In the past women would not act or sing in public so female characters in the play would be played by a male actor. I always use to hear from elders of the family who had the opportunity to see this legend live on stage about his acting and singing skills. When i came across this video clip i was thrilled i would be able to share this with all the readers. We owe our rich theater, dance and music traditions to legends like this.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES DELHI 2010-OPENING CEREMONY (HD)-CLASSICAL DANCES and...

This Video is a small clip from the opening ceremony of the Common Wealth Games that took place in Delhi,India in Oct2010. Here each style of the Indian Classical Dance represented a season. The styles that we can see here are Odissi,Bharatnatyam,Kathak,Kuchipudi,Mohiniattam and  Manipuri,representing the rich heritage of dance and music in the country. I do believe that they should have included Kathakali which is again a style of classical dance drama and a very popular form of Indian classical dance. None the less amazing show. Very synchronised dancing by the dancers and beautiful costumes. Makes me proud to be a part of such an amazing and ancient tradition.

KaThaKars: Kathak Rhythm

KaThaKars: Kathak Rhythm: "I came across this video on YouTube and found it very interesting. The music is by Marina Velikova. She has used Teen Tala (16 beats) as th..."

Kathak Rhythm

I came across this video on YouTube and found it very interesting. The music is by Marina Velikova. She has used Teen Tala (16 beats) as the base for this music. What really caught my eye or rather my ear was the recitation of the kathak pieces or bols. I would like to remind my readers that i have chosen this particular song based on the music and not the video. I feel the musician was able to keep the traditional beauty of the pieces she recited just as a kathak dancer would. By doing so she has shown the versatility of Kathak as a dance form. I do love the traditional repertoire of Kathak but this was a good blend of traditional with modern keeping the sanctity and beauty of the former.

KaThaKars: Kuchipudi Indian classical dance by Elena Tarasova...

KaThaKars: Kuchipudi Indian classical dance by Elena Tarasova...: "The Artist featured today is Kuchipudi dancer Elena Tarasova. Elena is a disciple of Kuchipudi guru Padmashree Dr. Sobha Naidu. She has..."

Kuchipudi Indian classical dance by Elena Tarasova

The Artist featured today is Kuchipudi dancer Elena Tarasova. Elena is a disciple of Kuchipudi guru Padmashree Dr. Sobha Naidu. She has been teaching and performing since last 14 years and is founder of Indian dance theater "Apsara", established in 1996 in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. She is the only non-Indian Kuchipudi dancer to have participated in the International Kuchipudi Dance Convention. In this video she is performing "Govardhangirdhari". I simply loved crisp and clear mudra abhinaya as well as graceful body movements. I wish the video was a little longer so we all could enjoy more of her performance.

KaThaKars: EKTATVA

KaThaKars: EKTATVA: " About the Artist Pandita Uma Dogra: Recently awarded the Maharashtra Gaurav Samman from State of Maharashtra, Umaji has been enthrallin..."

EKTATVA

    

About the Artist

Pandita Uma Dogra: Recently awarded the Maharashtra Gaurav Samman from State of Maharashtra, Umaji has been enthralling the audience with her dance for nearly three decades. Endowed with a fascinating personality and highly imaginative mind, she brings to Kathak not only a mastery of technique, but also a total immersion in dance, profound confidence, and a joyous spontaneity that infuses her performance with rare intensity and authority.Her work expresses the subtle distinction between the literal translation of the lyrics and mature, evolved transmutation of music into movements. Uma´s dance is very traditional and classical, but at the same time a language of strong self expression. For further information visit http://www.umadogra.com/

Smt Daksha Mashruwala: A teacher, choreographer and performer Dakshaji has been performing  all over India and abroad for last three decades. Disciple of Odissi maestro Padmavibhushan late Guru Kelucharan Mahopatra , Dakshaji has been carrying her guruji's tradition with commitment and perseverance. She has been honoured by The Center of world music , San Diego and Canadian Museum of Civilisation, Ottawa. For further information visit http://www.daksham.in

 Shri Vaibhav Arekar: Vaibhav Arekar's dance  has been quoted as intense and calm with strong masculine style.His dedication to his art is seen in his work as a dancer, choreographer,educationist,actor,producer and administrator.For further information visit  http://vaibhavarekar.com/

KaThaKars: Yuva Bharati Annual Concert

KaThaKars: Yuva Bharati Annual Concert: "Yuva Bharati is a non profit organisation which promotes Indian Classical dance to youth in USA. It provides stage to upcoming artist as..."

Yuva Bharati Annual Concert

Yuva Bharati is a non profit organisation which promotes Indian Classical dance to youth in USA. It provides stage to upcoming artist as well as invites  senior artist to give inspirational performances. Yuva Bharati conducts 6 events a year out of which 3  solo performances by upcoming artist, 1 showcase student choreographed performances and 2 by senior artist. They are funded by concert sponsors and and members.To find out more about the organisation and their work or to become a member you can visit www.yuvabharati.org. To find out about their future concerts visit http://www.yuvabharati.org/home/current.php.
 Yuva Bharati has a concert coming up on the 5th of Dec, 4.00pm at Albert and Janet Schultz Theater 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303. The Artists are Kamala Reddy (Pittsburgh), Aparna Ramaswamy (Minneapolis), Radica Giri and Radhika Shankar

KaThaKars: Narakasuravadham Kathakali dance drama of Kerala

KaThaKars: Narakasuravadham Kathakali dance drama of Kerala: "Kathakali is form of dance drama. It has its origins in Kerala. It is estimated to be about 400 years old. Traditionally this form is danc..."

Narakasuravadham Kathakali dance drama of Kerala

Kathakali is form of dance drama. It has its origins in Kerala. It is estimated to be about 400 years old. Traditionally this form is danced by men only. Even the female characters in the dance drama are played by men. This dance form is know for its elaborate makeup and costume. The dancers convey the story through detailed hand gestures , facial expression and eye movements. When i watched my first Kathakali performance i was so mesmerised by the way the performers truly became the characters they were playing. It often confused by people with Kathak, a classical dance form which originates from northen India. However these two dance form are distinctively different from each other.

KaThaKars: Legong Dance & Ramayana in Ubud, Bali

KaThaKars: Legong Dance & Ramayana in Ubud, Bali: "This is the traditional form of Balinese dance ballet. The stories  that are told,are from Ramayana. I have  had the fortune seeing these d..."

Legong Dance & Ramayana in Ubud, Bali

This is the traditional form of Balinese dance ballet. The stories are from Ramayana. I have had  the fortune seeing these dancers live. I noticed that their style is very closer to Manipuri, Kathakali and Bharatnatyam. The postures of the dancers is very close to Tri-bhangi , as seen in Odissi. It is fun to see a little glimpses of our classical dance and culture so far away from home. These dancer are so very graceful and beautiful to watch. It really strikes you how far the Indian culture of dance and music has its influences. That my view whats yours?

KaThaKars: majhe maher pandhari

KaThaKars: majhe maher pandhari: "Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi , belongs to the Kirana gharan of Hindustani classical music tradition. His music has been enthralling audien..."

majhe maher pandhari

Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi , belongs to the Kirana gharan of Hindustani classical music tradition. His music has been enthralling audience all around the world. He has been conferred with the highest civilian honor by the Government Of India , "The Bharat Ratna". Over the decades Panditji has developed his own style after assimilating various elements from different musical style. In this particular Video he is singing a Marathi Abhanga to lord Panduranga. I have always been listening to this composition since childhood. It always takes me to a different level of existence. Such is the power of music and the voice of such a great legend of our times. Hope you enjoy it too.

KaThaKars: Dr. Neena Prasad Mohiniyattam Cholkettu Dance DVD ...

KaThaKars: Dr. Neena Prasad Mohiniyattam Cholkettu Dance DVD ...: "Mohiniaattam is a dance form from Kerala in southern India. The term Mohiniaattam means “Mohini” the woman who enchants th..."

Dr. Neena Prasad Mohiniyattam Cholkettu Dance DVD Invis Multimedia Thiru...

Mohiniaattam is a dance form from Kerala in southern India. The term Mohiniaattam means “Mohini” the woman who enchants the onlookers and “aattam” meaning sensuous and graceful body movements. The main theme of the dance is love and devotion. Mohiniaattam is drama in dance and verse.

GHOOMAR

RAJASTHAN FOLK DANCE - It is the most famous of the Rajasthani Dances. Ghoomar is a traditional women's folk dance of Rajasthan, India which was developed by the Bhil tribe and was adopted by the Rajputs. It is performed by groups of women in swirling robes, and accompanied by men and women singing together. In this many women dance on the music of Dhol, thali and Manjira (Rajasthan Music Instruments)

KaThaKars: Incredible India-Classical dances of India (8)-Sat...

KaThaKars: Incredible India-Classical dances of India (8)-Sat...

Incredible India-Classical dances of India (8)-Sattriya from Assam

KaThaKars: Kelucharan Mohapatra, Odissi dance, Gita Govinda, ...

KaThaKars: Kelucharan Mohapatra, Odissi dance, Gita Govinda, ...

Kelucharan Mohapatra, Odissi dance, Gita Govinda, Yahi Madhava Yahi Keshava

Shiv Panchaksar Stotram : Vishnu Tattva Das

KaThaKars: Guru-Shishya Parampara

KaThaKars: Guru-Shishya Parampara: "Guru Shishya parampara is the ancient Indian system of mentor/teacher and disciple/student lineage in India. It is based on the unwavering..."

Guru-Shishya Parampara

Guru Shishya parampara is the ancient Indian system of mentor/teacher and disciple/student lineage in India. It is based on the unwavering faith in the teacher and determination on the behalf of the disciple to make the mentor’s path his own. This relationship is life long and deep. In the field of Indian classical dance and music this relationship is formalized with a ceremony called the “Gandabandhan’. With this ceremony the Guru /teacher formally accepts the student in the   lineage of the gharana the guru comes from. In Urdu the student is also called Shagird. Here the ‘Sha’ stands for the teacher and ‘Gird’ means around. Thus the word Shagird litlerary means one who makes the teacher the center of his or her world. It is a very sensitive and strong bond. We see examples of such strong student teacher relationship in Greek philosophy between Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The relationship between Shri Krishna and Arjun in Bhagvat Gita is fine example of what a Guru-Shishya bond is in Indian philosophy. In the Chritian philosophy we see this fine bond between the Christ and his apostles. In Buddhism this mentor disciple relationship forms one of the pillars of the philosophy example; mentor disciple relationship between Shakyamuni Buddha and Shariputra. In Sufism too, the seeker begins his search by finding a teacher, as the connection to the teacher is considered necessary for the pupil’s growth. Thus we see that though the term “Guru-Shishya”is considered Indian, it does have strong roots all the cultures and philosophies around the world. The bond between the mentor and his disciple is universal. Even in today fast paced modern world we see this bond going strong not only in the field of dance and music but even in sports, science and academics. Everyone has some mentor in their life; it can be a parent, friend, a favorite teacher or coach, spouse or even some stranger who teaches you some valuable lesson in life. But for everyone irrespective to gender class and race our biggest teacher is our life itself. 

The Scope and Importance of NatyaShastra

Today I  finally  got down to reading what is know as Bible of  Indian Classical Dance, Music and Drama - The Natya Shastra. This two volume encyclopedia  written by Sage Bharat (Bharat Muni) is made of couplets in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit. Over the years this book had found many translators who made it easy for readers like me to study this book. However i would suggest a little study of the Sanskrit before one ventures into reading Natya Shastra as each translator may have had their own interpretation of certain phrases or couplets. Here is what i took away with me from the first few chapters from the Natya Shastra.

Scope and importance of Natyashastra

v  Main topics of discussion in Natya Shastra are:

1.       Origin of mythical theater

2.       Construction of stage, auditorium and ceremonies attached to their construction

3.       Choreographic element

4.       Costume and make-up

5.       Classification and analysis of plays.

6.       Poetic aspects of plays and meters and figure of speech used in them.

7.       Theory of music and Talas.

8.       Classification and description of the characters in a play.

9.       Criticism of the plays

v  Natya Shastra is considered as encyclopedia because:

1.       It provided the play writer with the structural designs of various types of play and its elaborations

2.       It helped the play writers to get acquainted with the rules of production  to make the drama as a spectacle

3.       Many literary dramas  are not taken  for performance as they are not suitable to be staged, Bharat Muni was aware of this and gave importance to both the literary and technical aspect of theater.

KaThaKars: Pt Durgalal - A Painting in time.

KaThaKars: Pt Durgalal - A Painting in time.: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCLcWxIZqV4&feature=relate Master of all the aspects of Kathak which are Gayan (singing), Vadan (percusii..."

Pt Durgalal - A Painting in time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCLcWxIZqV4&feature=relate

Master of all the aspects of Kathak which are Gayan (singing), Vadan (percusiion) and Nartan (dance), Late Pt Durgalalji was a complete artist. Born in the year 1948 in Rajasthan Pt Durgalalji started is training in Kathak under the watchful eye of his guru and elder brother Pt Devilalji. Later on both brothers received scholarship to study Kathak at Bharatiya Kala Kendra under Pt Sunderlalji. Pt.Durgalalji was trained in Hindustani vocal by his father Pt.Omkarlalji and Pakhawaj by Pt.Purshottam of Nathdwara. Stardom may have opened for him a whole new world of ostentation, but Pt. Durgalalji simplicity remained untouched. He was a great guru, a disciplinarian and a hard worker. The aesthetics of the physical and artistic dimensions of Durgalalji was matched by the man´s unblemished character. He was a recipient of honor from various public and private bodies, both at home as well as abroad. At age of 36 in 1984, he received the highest honor in the field of performing Arts –"The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award". In the year 1990 Pt. Durgalalji, at the peak of his career at the age of forty-two, succumbed to a massive cardiac arrest. It occurred shortly after a marathon performance in Lucknow for the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Kathak Mahotsav.

Lecture and Demonstration by Pandita Uma Dogra