Dance in ancient Hindu epics
Subashini Pathmanathan
In Hinduism beautiful Hindu epics are available. Ramayana and Maha
Bharatha are the two important and outstanding epics. These epics are
still used in our dance drama; some extractions from these epics are
taken up for the classical dance forms. These dance forms play important
role in South East Asian dances. South East Asian dances are mainly
influenced by the Hindu epics Ramayana and Maha Bharatha. 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, Solokams,
Viruthams, and Thillanas. All these items are based on different themes
on different epics.
|
Nataraja |
In all the epics the apsaras (the divine dancers) from heaven
dominated the dance scenes.
Even there are numerous references about Lord Shiva and his 108
Thandavas, in Hinduism, Lord Shiva is called as Koothapiraan,
Aadavallaan, Kootharasan, Thaandavamoorthy, Nataraja, Aadumtheivam,
Ampalakoothan and Narthana Nadesan. These are some of the terms used in
epics to refer Lord Shiva.
All these above said terms are related to dance.
Today many dancers in all classical and folk dances are adopting
beautiful epic dance themes for their dances. These epics are based on
various gods.
Similarly even Lord Ganesha was once referred as ‘Narathana Ganapathy’.
Numerous beautiful references are seen about Lord Krishna’s dances with
Radha and Gopis.
In classical dances such as Bharatha Natyam, Odissi, Manipuri,
Kuchupidi and Mohini Aattam 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 the royal courts.
These ‘Gantharvars’ were well versed in music, dance and chanting.
Further there is a reference in Mahabharata, that Arjuna also learnt
music and dance from Chitrasena. Arjuna learnt Geetham, (music), Vaathya,
(instrument) and Nrithiya (dance). Further during the Mahabharata era
dance and music were imparted to the princesses in the palaces.
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 Sage Narada, Baladeva, Krishna and their companions.
Further numerous evidences could be found that dance was performed in
different occasions, for instance Balarama and Krishna joined in the
dance of Revathi, and Sathiyabhama.
Hallisha means the circular dance formation by the Gopis while they
dance and Raasa is another dance which prevailed in those days. In this
dance, women danced with one male. There is an evidence that dance took
place mainly on the full moon days of autumn.
Hence numerous references about dance are scattered throughout the
Hindu epics, such as in the religious literature, in the devotional
literature and in the Tamil literature. |
