Dance in Hinduism

Subashini Pathmanathan

In Hinduism beautiful Hindu epics are available. Ramayana and Maha Bharatha are two important and outstanding epics. These epics are still used in dance drama. Some extractions from these epics are taken up for the classical dance forms. These dance forms play an important role in South East Asian dances. South East Asian dances are mainly influenced by Hindu epics Ramayana and Maha Bharatha. Both these epics are based on Vaishnava cult.

Nataraja statue

Besides, 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 in different epics.

In all epics the apsaras (the divine dancers) from heaven dominated the dance scenes. There are even 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 terms used in epics to refer to Lord Shiva. All these above said terms are related to dance. Today many dancers in all classical and folk dances adopt beautiful epic themes for their dances. These epics are based on various gods.

Similarly even Lord Ganesha was once referred to as ‘Narthana 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.

Elegance of dancing

These ‘Gantharvars’ were well versed in music, dance and chanting. Further there is a reference in Mahabharata that Arjuna also learnt music and dance. Arjuna learnt Geetham, (music), Vaathya, (instrument) and Nrithiya (dance). During the Mahabharata era dance and music were imparted to 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 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 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: religious, devotional and Tamil literatures.

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