Scientific technology in classical dancing
Subashini Pathmanathan
Bharatha Natyam evolved out of Sathir. During the period of Sathir no
high technology or techniques were developed. Sathir was not at all
practised on the stages. It was only prastised in temples and temple
premises. With the passage of time Sathir underwent numerous reforms by
the reformers, and renamed Sathir as Bharatha Natyam.
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Juvenile performer |
With the emergence of new face of Sathir, which was renamed as
Bharatha Natyam took a new look on the stage, with numerous new
technology and modern techniques. Even in Bharatha Natyam the mikes were
not in use in the earlier days. In earlier days, without the mikes the
vocalists sang the songs loudly. Anyhow with the passage of time, the
mike system entered into the stage field, mainly in mid of 1940s.
With the help of mike, vocalists started singing the songs in normal
pitch, without much struggle. Earlier the vocalists struggled to
maintain the sound level to cover the whole auditorium. After the mike
system came into the field it was not only used by the vocalists and
Nattuvangamists, but latter it was also used by the entire
accompaniments. Setting and regulating the sound the mike system is a
separate art, which has to be handled by well trained technicians with
good experience.
Earlier the light for the Sathir programmes were only given by oil
lamps, later the lanterns were carried by the people to provide lights
to the stage. After that, electrical lighting system was introduced,
with high sophisticated technology to provide lights to the stage.
Now many varieties of lighting systems are available. Spot lights,
follow up lights, footlights, focus lights, and rotating colour lights
are some of the lighting systems are used in the modern stages.
Presently foot lights are not in use, because it might cast shadow on
the dancing figure. Some of the lights are kept on the trollies, fixed
up with wheels for the purpose of rotation.
Sometimes the lights are attached to the discs. These discs are
covered with the transparent colour papers to give the effect of colour
lights to the stage. Some of the rotating colours are permanently fixed
on, at the top of the present stages. Besides these, dimmers are also
used for classical dance recital. Dimmers are used before the dance
starts, and after the dance ends. It gives a perfect touch to the dance
recital. The light should not cast shade on the artiste.
The dance drama is considered a branch of classical Bharatha Natyam
which is used much more scientific techniques in the productions. For
instance for the need and necessity of different scenes, smokes are also
used.
In the dance drama choreographers are not only used the classical
instruments but also they use the western instruments. For instance the
choreographers use the western electrical key board. Through the western
key board different and variety of sounds could be produced. This
facility was not available earlier in the dance dramas.
To maintain the balance of pitch (suruthi) level earlier manual
suruthi, (air box) was used, but today electrical suruthi box is used to
maintain the suruthi level. Similarly to maintain the same suruthi level
Thampura is another string instrument is used, but there is no
difference in the sound.
Earlier people used to hold the curtains at both ends. But later
manually operated curtains are used. These are one side moving curtains,
both side moving curtains joint together, dropping curtains from up to
down, or rolling from down to up. Today electrically operated curtains
are also available.
Nowadays pre-recorded CDs, cassettes, record players are used for
dance practices and stage performances. After the entry of distance
education system into the dance field, even the practical lessons, and
illustration materials are given in CDs. Another milestone development
in the art field is the use of video system.
The present generation teachers, students, parents, and artistes are
very much keen to take video recordings of the programs. Even the TV
channels are recording the programs and telecasting in the TV channels
which are another development in the dance field.
Normally in any dance programs the people cannot see the full facial
expressions, abinaya who are seated in the back rows. But to avoid this
shortcoming now a days, in most of the programs large video screens are
used. This facility provides an opportunity to enable all the audience
to view the programs properly. Hence science and technology played an
important role to cherish the dance field. |
