Stage decor then and now in Bharatha Natyam

Subashini Pathmanathan

DANCE: Stage decoration plays an important role in the modern stages. Today commonly built up public halls are rented for dance recitals. The structure, the type of the halls, the shape of the dais, the stage, length, and level, the height of the stage, vary from one hall to another. There is no standard size in the dais or size for the dance halls.

But in olden days the dance drama halls were very well structured, according to a particular plan. For instance, ancient Sanskrit drama halls were called Koothampalam. This drama stage was scientifically and properly planned and structured.

The modern dance stages are decorated with ready made cut outs and hard board pillars which are decorated with beautiful paintings. Brass lamps, natural and artificial flowers are used for decorations according to the tastes and financial status of the artists. Sometimes over decorations distract the real performances.

Structure

Earlier selection of the land, construction, and structure the stage, the shape, and the measurements were well defined in the Sastras. But with the passage of time all types of halls are selected, according to the availability and convenience of the artists.

The ancient epic Silapathikaram clearly defines the construction of the stage and the stage decoration. According to Natya Sastra Vishwakarma designed three varieties of stages.

These three varieties depended on three different shapes of the stage. One was the square shape (Chathura), other was the rectangular shape (Vikrushta), and another was the triangular shape (Tryashra). Further these three shapes were divided into three different sizes. The small size, medium, and the other large.

The theatre structure was divided into three different sections. One was the auditorium where the audience used to sit and watch the show, other was the green room. The green room was at the back of the stage where the characters dress up and enter the stage. The green room was named Nepathyagraha in olden days. In between the auditorium and the green room the stage structure was constructed. The same is still followed in all types of stage constructions all over the world.

Characters

The green room was structured to have one door at the back of the stage for the characters to enter it. Eurther the green room had two doors to enter and leave the stage. This type of structure was possible only for the square and rectangular type of auditorium those days.

In the earlier days the central portion of the back stage was raised up for the accompaniments (the supportive orchestra for the performances). These arrangements provided an opportunity for the audience to have a proper view. The raised up portion of the back stage was called Rangasheersha. Today the accompaniments sit at the right side of the stage (that’s why it is called Pakka Vathiyam, (sidemen).

The stage was supported by pillars at each corner. Each pillar was compared to four different main castes which existed in those times. The dancing or acting area was called Ranga Pitha. The two sides of the stage were called Matavaaranees which were supported by eight pillars.

In the Koothampalam (Sanskrit drama stage), also like the ancient dance auditorium had small windows to hear the sound clearly without much vibration or echo.

In ancient dance stages beautiful designs were drawn including elephants, birds, snakes, and beautiful creepers. Such drawings can be seen even today in the stage decoration cutouts. Even in the Koothampala stages, as well as the stages described in Natya Sastra clearly indicate the seating arrangements of the audience.

Each row was raised up above the previous row. It provided an opportunity for the viewers to have a proper view. Even today this aspect can be seen in all public auditoriums.

In ancient times the people held the curtains, but today varieties of dance curtains are used. Some curtains fall from up to down, some are from one side to the other, and some are from both sides and joining together. These curtains are operated manually as well as mechanically. Today science and technology are used to the maximum in lightings and sound system of the morden stages.

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