Classical dance adored the male

Subashini Pathmanathan

The contribution of males in Indian classical dance forms is immeasurable. In many Indian classical dance forms, like Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Bhagavatha Mela, were only performed by the male dancers in ancient times.

In the later years the females started participating in these classical dance forms, except Bhagavatha Mela and Kathakali.. Like Bhagavatha Mela this is also a drama based dance, that’s why it is considered as a dance drama. Bhagavatha Mela dance drama is still preserved protected and practised by the males alone. The special feature of Bhagavatha Mela is only preserved, protected and practised by the male Brahmin community. But Bhagavatha Mela dance drama had laid down a firm foundation for the development of dance drama, in Bharatha Natyam.

Classical dance

The Bhagavatha Mela is one of Indian classical dance forms which has close links with Kuchipudi. Kuchipudi is a classical dance form of Telugu Desha, based on drama. Earlier, the male dancers dressed themselves, as female dancers, but later females started playing important roles in Kuchipudi. Today Kuchipudi is the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh, but with the passage of time female dancers became the main participants. As in Kuchipudi, oral conversation or discussion take place between the dancers and the musicians as in dramatic form.

Odissi dance is another important classical dance form of East Indian Orissa state. Earlier Odissi dancers were males. They were called Gotipuas. These male dancers dressed themselves as females while they danced. It is essentially a temple dance. Many of the Odissi dance teachers are Gotipuas of yesteryears. The male dancers (Gotipuas) still dance.

The music of Odissi is a fusion music of Carnatic music and Hindustani music. Traditionally Gotipuas were dancing on two important occasions. One was Chandra Jatra, and other was Jhoolan Jatra. Initially this dance form originated and was based on Vaishnava cult. And later it was also cherished and adopted in Saivaism. In olden days they adorned themselves with many ornaments, but today they sparingly use limited and necessary ornaments.

Kathakali is another Indian classical dance form based on Hinduism. Even the female characters are danced by the male dancers, and still males play a major role in this classical dance form. Originally this particular is danced by the males alone. Earlier these male dancers were called Chakaiyer. Carnatic music is the base of this dance form. The dance themes are generally based on various epics and puranic and ithikasa stories. Kathakali dance form uses heavy makeup and use different masks appropriate to the character portrayed.

Kireedam or the crown is worn by the dancers along with the face masks. The ornaments are placed and tied over the dresses.

Female dancers

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

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 the male dancers of other Indian classical dances. They hardly wear any ornaments. They do not even wear the ankle bells.

India’s most popular classical dance form is Bharatha Natyam. Bharatha Natyam, which is evolved out of ancient temple dance Sathir. In ancient days, male dancers danced Sathir in the temples.

They were called by various names, like Chakai Maraiyan, Poonan, Santhi Koothan, Kootha Peeraiyan, Nattuva Aasan, and Araiyer. High awards were awarded to these outstanding male dancers in olden days. For instance, ‘Nattuva Kulothunga Chola Nirtha Peraiyan’, ‘Thiruvorai Chakai Mummdi Chola Nirutha Peeraiyan’ were some of the titles conferred on the outstanding performers.

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 the female dancers. Even in teaching Kathak level , the males equally important role with female. The male Kathak dancers wear simple costumes. They wear long pyjamas and specially designed tops. They don’t wear many ornaments, and they do not have any hair dressing. In Kathak numerous male exponents were called Maharajs. Their contribution for the development of Kathak dance was immeasurable throughout in the Kathak development history.

Male dancers

Similarly for Manipuri dance also the role of the male dancers is equally important with female dancers. The Male Manipuri dancers serve as Gurus and drummers in the Manipuri dance.

In Bharatha Natyam yesteryears most of the outstanding gurus were the Nattuvanars (the traditional dance Gurus).In other words male traditional gurus are still called Nattuwanars. In Bharatha Natyam field outstanding male dancers and numerous outstanding dance teachers, choreographers are still belonged to the traditional Nattuvanar clan. Nontraditional Nattuvanar clan also play considerable important role in the present Bharatha Natyam field today .Numerous nontraditional Bharatha Natya teachers and performers are serving for the betterment of the field. It is a mentioned worthy aspect should be taken into account when the male Bharatha Natya performers perform with the female performers together in the stages, the female dancers capture much more attention of the audience rather than the male dancers.

In all the Indian classical dance forms, the males play important roles with female dancers. The contribution of males for the development of certain classical dance forms are more than that of the females. Kuchupidi and Odissi were originally danced and preserved by the males alone. Bhagavatha Mela is still wholly performed by the male performers. And yet Kathakali is still performed by the male dancers alone. Even in Kathakali female dance characters are performed by the male dancers alone.