Dance in ancient Hindu epics
Subashini Pathmanathan
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DANCE POSE: Modern Bharatha Natyam dancer
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DANCE: In Hinduism beautiful Hindu epics are available. Ramayana and
Maha Baratha are the two important and outstanding epics. These epics
are still used in our dance dramas. Some extracts from these epics are
taken for the classical dance forms. These dance forms play an important
role in South East Asian dances which are mainly influenced by the Hindu
epics. Both these epics are based on Vaishnava cult.
Beside these, various epics on Lord Shiva are used for the classical
dance items such as Padams, Keerthanams, Sabthams, Varnams, Solkams,
Viruthams and Thillanas. All these items are based on different themes
on different epics.
In all the epics the apsaras (the divine dancers) from heaven
dominated the dance scenes. Even there are numerous references to Lord
Shiva and his 108 Thandavas in Hinduism. Lord Shiva is called as
Koothapiraan, Aadavallan, Kootharasan, Thaandavamoorthy, Nataraja,
Aadumtheivam, Ampalakoothan and Narthana Nadeshan. These are some of the
terms used in epics to refer to Lord Shiva.
All these terms are related to dance. Today many dancers in all
classical and folk dances are adopting beautiful epic dance themes for
dances. These epic themes describe songs on various gods.
Beautiful references
Similarly even Lord Ganesha was once referred to as ‘Narthana
Ganapathy’.
Numerous beautiful references are seen about Lord Krishna’s dances
with Radha. In classical dances such as Bharatha Natyam, Odissi,
Manipuri, Kuchupidi and Mohini Aatam beautiful and attractive dance
poses are adopted to depict Lord Krishna’s dance themes. There are a lot
of references about Goddess Kaali’s dances in different epics, puranic
and ithikaasa stories.
Most popular epics in Hinduism are Ramayana and Maha Bharatha. Both
provide a wealth of information about dance and music in earlier times.
According to Maha Bharatha ‘Gantharva’ dancers entertained the people in
courts.
The ‘Gantharvars’ were well versed in music, dance and chanting.
Further there is a reference in Mahabharatha that Arjuna also learnt
music and dance from Chitrasena. Arjuna learnt Geetham (music), Vaathya
(instrument) and Nrithiya (dance). Further during the Mahabharatha era
dance and music were imparted to the princesses in the palaces.
Systematic training
In ancient times well defined rules and regulations were adopted for
systematic training. It was believed that dancing was an important
training for young girls. For this purpose a particular hall was built.
That hall was named Natanasala or Nirthyasala. This was not only used
for performances, but also used for training dance as well as for dance
practice. Even the dancers were divided into three different categories.
They were divine dancers, professional dancers and totally dedicated
dancers without getting any benefits.
According to Mahabharatha most of the characters were involved in
dancing including Saga Narada, Baladeva, Krishna and their companions.
Further numerous evidence could be found that dance was performed in
different occasions.
For instance Balarama and Krishna joined in the dance of Revathi and
Sathiyabhama. On another occasion Arjuna was the guest among the dances
of Yadevas. Two important terms were used in Maha-bharatha. One is
Hallisha and the other is Raasa.
Hallisha means the circular dance formation by Gopis while they
dance. And Raasa is another dance which prevailed in those days. In this
dance women danced with one man. There is evidence that dance took place
on the full moon days of autumn.
Hence numerous references about dance are scattered throughout the
Hindu epics, such as the religious literature, the devotional
literature, and the Tamil literature.
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