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/