By Samriti Sharma
Chandigarh: In Indian culture we have many Devi , Devta’s and Rishi Munis . In Vedic period Indra, Varuna , Surya were worshiped . Later on Lord Krishna , Lord Rama were worshiped .The ideas of India , through the ages recognizing the kinship of man and god in every sphere. God is the supreme artist who guides every action of man . Idea of temples was that it had to be a place of communication between God and man .In India only temple reflects the universe . Dancing was considered the religious ceremony most pleasing to the gods . Indeed the gods themselves were supreme dancers .
THEORY OF TRINITY
Main principal gods are BRAHMA ,VISHNU ,SHIVA ,and their consorts are SARASWATI ,LAKSHAMI, PARVATI. Brahma the creator , lord Vishnu the preserver , Lord Shiva the destroyer –jointly known as trinity or trimurti .Shiva is king of dancers and called NATRAJA. His wife PARWATI was first teacher of dance who brought the art down to earth to teach people .In rich cultural heritage of Indian art , it is impossible to separate mythology and real world . as per mythology lord Brahma created 4 Vedas , the cosmic world , people requested the god to do something for entertainment . Lord Brahma went into deep meditation and out of 4 Vedas drew 5th , NATYA VEDA. Lord Brahma having composed the first drama went to seek the help of lord SHIVA for the steps of dance .
SHIVA THE SUPREME DANCER
Shiva composed the dance steps to help BRAHMA .Shiva taught these steps to his dispel TANDU and PARWATI. Dance steps of Shiva are known as Tandava ( the energetic form),they were most in masculine form , Parvati added Feminine steps LASYA (delicate form)to blend in harmony. Few people says these dances were 108 in number, but as per shaivite sahitya they are 64 in number . but today we recognize only 7 TANDAVA.
*SANDHYA TANDAVA
*ANAND TANDAVA
*SHAKTI TANDAVA (KALIKA TANDAVA)
*TRIPURA TANDAVA
*SATI AND SHIVA TANDAVA (ARHDANARI TANDAVA )
*URDHAVA TANDAV,
*SAMHARA TANDAVA.
KALIAKA, SANDHYA are performed at TIRUNELVELI, in MADURAI in grave yards, Anand Tandav is performed in Chitambaram.
VISHNU has no role in the field of dance , but his consort Laxmi danced to attract the demons. SILAPPA-DIKRAM a Tamil granth refer s this dance as known as PAWAD. VISHNU in the incarnation of Krishna was great dancer, he danced him self alone and with others also. In SILAPPA-DIKRAM dances of Krishna childhood has references as MAAL dances, mainly KALIA- MARDAN , RASA LEELA has prominent place. In Tamil granth there is reference of competition of KALI AND PARVATI which they performed at chitambram .in many TANTRA –MANTRA books this dances has place where kali is performing on dead bodies in war.
Temples are important part of Indians daily life, has impact on art, music or dance
It is interesting to note that square form was the basic structure of temple ,as in the theatre, in every temple Natya - sabha was made where music and dance performance took place as a part of religious ritual .
In EAST INDIA it is belief that Shiva and Parvati initiated the first steps of Manipuri dance. They use scared texts of rig Veda .Rasa Leelas in Manipur gracefully depicts the love of Krishna and Radha . All the songs has theme of worship through love in all parts of India ,the mood is known as Shringara bhakti .
In SOUTH INDIA – land of BHARAT-NATYAM –most of the KURAVANJIS are dedicated to lord Shiva and very few to Krishna .The bronze figure of NATARAJA is spiritual force of doctrine of enlightenment is embodied in powerful expression and synthesis of deep philosophy .
In ORISSA when the temple of Jaganath puri was constructed they used same rituals as in the temples of south .later Natya -Mandir was the part of temple and Geeta gobind was the theme constantly danced and sung , sooner other song lost their popularity in 1497 king Pratap rudra deva made a law that only Geeta gobind of jaideva could be utilized .
CHHAU the most popular dance of Orissa and Bihar is dedicated to ARDHA_ NARISHVARA, PURUSHA and PRAKRITI.
Dances in today life
Today dances has come out of temples , there is great change in costumes ,selection of themes ,but in ancient India art religion had no separate identity. The artist revealed his vision of beauty with in temple walls. Today art has moved to stage but dedication is same.Today all over india music and dance functions are arranged on mazaars , temples .every social and religious ceremony is incomplete with out dance.