Male contribution to Indian classical dance

Subashini Pathmanathan

The role of males in Indian classical dance forms is immeasurable. Many Indian classical dance forms such as Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Ordissi and Bhagavatha Mela were performed only by the male dancers in ancient times. During later years, the females started participating in these classical dance forms, save Bhagavatha Mela. Kuchipudi is a classical dance of Telegu Desha based on drama. Earlier the male dancers dressed themselves as female dancers and danced, but later females started playing an important role in Kuchipudi. Today Kuchipudi is the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh, and female dancers are the main participants.

The Bhagavatha Mela is another Indian classical dance form that has close links with Kuchipudi. Like Kuchipudi, this is also a drama based dance, that’s why it is considered as dance drama. Like in Kuchipudi, oral conversation takes place between dancers and musicians. Bhagavatha Mela dance drama is still preserved and practised by the males only. The special feature of Bhagavatha Mela is preserved and practised by the male Brahmin community. However Bhagavatha Mela dance drama had laid down a firm foundation for the development of dance drama in Bharatha Natyam.

Kathakali dance performance

Besides Odissi dance had its origin from Orissa state. Earlier Odissi dancers were males. They were called Gothipuas. These male dancers dressed themselves as females while they danced. It is essentially a temple dance. Even today many of the Odissi dance teachers are Gothipuas of yesteryears. The male dancers Gothipuas are still dancing. The music of Odissi is a fusion of Carnatic music and Hindustani music.

Traditionally Gothipuas were dancing on two important occasions. One was Chandran Jatra, and the other was Jhoolan Jatra. Initially this dance form originated and was based on Vaishnava cult. And later it was cherished and adopted in Saivaism. In olden days, they adorned themselves with many ornaments, but today they sparingly use limited and necessary ornaments.

Another Indian classical dance form is Kathak. It is a popular classical dance form of North India. Here in this classical dance form the male dancers play equal role with female dancers. Even in teaching Kathak, the role of the males is equally important. The male Kathak dancers wear simple costumes. They wear long pyjama and specially designed tops. They do not wear much ornament, and they do not have any hairdressing.

Kathakali is another Indian classical dance form based on Hinduism. The male dancers dance even the female characters, and still males play major role in this classical dance form. Originally the males alone danced in this. These male dancers were called Chakayer. The music is totally based on Carnatic music.

The dance themes are generally based on various epics, puranic and ithikasa stories. Kathakali dance form uses heavy makeup and use different masks appropriate to the character portrayed. Keeredam or the crown is worn by the dancers along with the face side masks. The ornaments are placed and tied over the dresses.

Another Indian classical dance form is Manipuri. The male dancers play equally important role with female dancers. The male Manipuri dancers generally carry different variety and different shapes of drums, while they dance. Sometimes while dancing they carry large cymbals (which are called Kartaal). 

The male Manipuri dancers generally wear white dhotis, and many of times, they do wear white colour turbans. This is the special and distinct feature of the Manipuri male dancers as compared to male dancers of other Indian classical dances. They hardly wear any ornaments. Even they do not wear ankle bells.

India’s most popular classical dance form is Bharatha Natyam. Bharatha Natyam evolved out of Sathir. In ancient days, many male dancers danced Sathir in temples. They were called by various names such as Chakai Marayan, Poonan, Santhi Koothan, Kootha Peraiyan, Nattuva Aassan and Araiyer. High awards were awarded to these outstanding male dancers in olden days.

For instance, Nattuva Kulothunga Chola Nirtha Peraiyan and Thiruvorai Chakai Mummudi Chola Nirutha Peraiyan were some titles conferred on outstanding performers. In Bharatha Natyam the most outstanding gurus were the males, and today there are a very few outstanding male performers in this field. Those who are fascinated, by the glamour of Bharatha Natyam recitals mostly danced by women, do not appreciate the contribution made by the males for the development of Bharatha Natyam.

Lord Nataraja was a male, so too the kings, outstanding dance teachers, court music and dance vidwans, were males. Even in times of the Sathir the dancers were females, but the nattuwanars (mentors of dance), the dance teachers were males. The growth and development of Bharatha Natyam were due to the contribution of male teachers.

In the 18th century Senthil Annavir was a veena vidwan at the Neela Appar temple in Thirunelveli. He trained the othuvars (those who recite the temples scriptures), and the temple dancers who were mainly women. 

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