Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PROJECTS
End navigation links
Projects
Item Project 1 - Review paper
Observe and write an analytic reaction paper of either (a) an Indian dance
performance or (b) an assigned videotape of a dance performance. Must be typed and
well-written.
"State the facts: what style of dance, where it was performed, at what time,
length of show, name of choreographer, etc. Grab a program sheet at the show and
retain it for this kind of information.
"Respond critically. Feel free to voice opinions and justify them. *Note that
obvious cultural bias or prejudice are not included as justification.
Before the peformance try to maintain a fresh, open attitude to help minimize
bias.
Prepare and take with you a checklist to help capture description: colors,
costume, make-up, kinetic (i.e. body) movement, use of space, use of time (i.e.
rhythm), music/poetry etc. Jot things down for later analysis.
After the performance ask yourself the following questions; allowing this process
to guide the composition of your paper:
Why?
3. Did some dance segments stand out more than others? Why?
' 1. Indian dance flourished in and around temples in its formative past.
2. Rhythm carries several symbolic meanings that have implications for the way
dance is
perceived. Because it is cyclic, rhythm symbolizes the philosophic theme of
infinity. It is
highlighted by the dancers bare feet encircled by ankle bells stamping out
gravity-reverberating cyclic patterns on the floor.
Other key points are: the manipulation of body weight in movement to accentuate
gravity. Movement is punctuated by still poses that are visible in and around
temple sculptures.
5. Themes frequently used are typically drawn from two well known Hindu epics,
the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata.
There are over a dozen classical dance forms in India. Each is characterized by
distinctive
However, all the styles approach dance as a dual combination of pure technique -
Nritta - and
expressive dance- Nritya. The majority of dance styles ( mainly South Indian)
further rely on
'
basic dance drills- Adavus - that underlie Nritta . The profusion of forms is
matched by a
multiplicity of Adavus. Even within a single style there are various schools; the
way in which
Adavus are performed, classified and understood, vary from guru to guru.
Adavus are the bedrock of Indian dance, it is only by perfecting this movement
vocabulary that
Some Pefinitiops
In Adavus the movement pattern is first executed on the right side and then
repeated on the left
side. They are set to a tola or rhythmic design and laya or tempo. Laya consists
of three types,
Several adavus woven together constitute a Jathi, which are then employed in both
nritta and
orally.
As the feet of the dancer translates the Shollakattu, the person who verbalizes
the rhythmic dance
commands is called the \attawunur.
movement.
temple patronage.
Natya Shastra: The most important Sanskrit treatise on dramaturgy by Bharata Muni.
Written
Tala: Time measure of eight, ten or thirteen beats. It is circular and repetitive
in character.
Lava: Tempo.
Bhakti – means devotional love for a personal Lord one worships. This bhakti is
yoga, a means to attain salvation. This concept was expressed in Bhagvat Gita
part of the epic ‘Mahabharata’-
Vedas – are the earliest scriptures of Hindus. There are 4 Vedas Rig Veda, Sam
Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. They date from about 2000 B.C.
Caste – refers to the Hindu society divided into 4 hierarchical groups. 1st .
Brahmin or the priest philosopher. 2nd . Kshatriya - ruler administrator is the
next group. 3rd . Vaishya refers to the traders, merchants etc. 4th . The Shudras
or lower caste doing menial labor and serving the other caste.
Ganesha- elephant headed god also known as Ganapati. He is Shiva and Uma’s son
and quells all obstacles from one’s path. So he is invoked at the beginning of
ventures.
Oral Presentation
Duration: 6 minutes
Question:
Please explain whether or not the concept of feminine divinity (as expressed in
Hindu thought) is an empowering idea for today's woman. Does Indian Classical
Outline A
Thesis Statement
_, support:
• The idea of feminine divinity, which has expression even in western myths
and
Native American myths, can energize not just women of Indian origin but others;
rendering strength to the psyche.
• Even thought women have acquired many freedoms denied to them traditionally,
the burdens of juggling work, family, and community remain. The spiritual/
psychological comfort offered by the Goddess concept is still relevant.
Support:
The elevation of the Goddess as a nurturer-rather than the powerful
[ 1. Takadhimi 2. Takajhanu 3.
Tah kirtaka 4.Teyyi_ ]
Item Lab
Choice A
“Walk the Sky” took its inspiration from Mahadevi Akka’s poem called ‘Vachanas’.
An extraordinary woman for her times in 12th century feudal India, Mahadevi Akka
has recently been reclaimed by contemporary feminists.
Language - Kannada
money in hand;
Can you confiscate
strip
you wear,
Nakedness
Jasmine Lord’s
light of morning,
Choice B
Learning on my staff
I am free.
For more than two decades, Devi Dance Theater has created classical Indian dance
that is rich in innovative and evocative visual imagery. It has forged new
alliances between music and dance; tradition and the cutting edge. The company
grew in its art form by creating works such as “Diary of Sita” - Devi Dance
Theatre explores Sita-classical heroine and effulgent daughter of Earth. Provoked
by the idea of Sita as silent, submissive paragon, Sita’s Diary delves in to
traditional myth and moves it to a new frontier of interpretation. Not a mute
mannequin – nor a stoic wife – Sita is brought to the stage as a strong, divine
presence worthy of emulation.
Devi Dance Theatre explores Spirituals by using Kuchipudi dance idiom to the
lyrics of–Long White Robe and Swing Sweet Low Chariot - Devi Dance Theatre
portfolio also includes ‘Gossamer of Soul’ – a 16th Century mystic poem by Kabir
that exalts the God as divine weaver, ‘Water under duress’ which touches on the
sacredness of our waters and environmental pollution.
Note:
“Not familiar with the Indian classical dance style Kuchipudi? Go see Devi Dance
Theatre anyway…The number and complexity of the movement vocabulary created by
Devi is so impressive that it never grew boring” - Washington Post
Nilimma Devi’s “Walk the Sky”: Poetry in Motion - LisaTraiger, Washington Post
2002.