Dance ~ where males have to break the glass ceiling

Subashini Pathmanathan

In most classical and folk dances, females play a dominant role. Yet in some of the folk dances and in the classical dances females and males play equal roles. For instance, in the oriental classical dance forms such as North Indian classical dance, Kathak and the East Indian classical dance Manipuri, Sri Lankan classical dance Kandyan dance, and some of the Sri Lankan folk dances males and females play equal roles. Similarly, even in Russian classical ballets, Western dances, Red Indian dances and South East Asian dances, males and females play equal roles.

In some dances, in the past, males dominated the scene but now females play an important role. It could be seen in Indian classical dances such as Odissi, and Kuchupidi. Meanwhile females alone practise Mohini Aatam and Kathakali is still practised by males only.

In almost all the Indian classical and Indian folk dances, the females play an important role in the cultural life of the Indian people. In any country, culture reveals the pattern of life style, customs and traditions relating to regional and religious practices and historical background of society.

Female players

Earlier practically, females were the dominating figures in the field of fine arts, especially in the field of dance, music, sculpture and paintings. From the very beginning, female temple dancers and female court dancers enjoyed a prestigious position in society. Earlier temple dancers were called Devar Adiyarkal, Devadasis, Sathirkaaris or Pathiyeayalar. In Vaishnava temples, the dancers were called Sri Vaishnava Manikam.

The females made their contribution to the dance in different forms. Their contribution is mainly depicted in temple mandapa sculptures, temple pillar sculptures, and temple gopura sculptures.

Even dancing female figures were depicted in the general architectural sculptures. Similarly, even in the paintings, we could see the female contribution to the dance, mainly in temple walls and roof paintings, temple pillar paintings dance hall curtain paintings, in stage decoration and cut out paintings. Even the names of the female dancers could be seen in several inscriptions. This could be seen in the copper plate and stone plate inscriptions.

These inscriptions give the names of numerous female dancers, their awards, the titles conferred on them and the details of the awards, and the titles were well defined. Even earlier, as well as today, in the field of classical and folk dances, the most attractive and the most outstanding performing artistes are females.

Even the decorations adopted by the female dancers such as hairdressing and facial makeup, are more elaborate than the male counterparts are. The female dancers wore differently designed costumes, than male counterparts.

Adopting costumes

Female dancers such as Meenakshi Talaadu, Andal Thirukalyanam and Kurathi only perform certain classical items. They adopt the costumes, makeup and hairdressing, according to the role of the selective dances.

Female folk dancers are generally called koothukaris or Koothier in Tamil and by different names in different states. The colourful glittering costumes are selected by the females. Simple beautiful makeup was always adopted by female folk dancers and the majority of the female dancers wore colourful shawls over the heads. Most of the dancers danced with decorated sticks or decorated pots, or holding decorated shawls or lamps in the hands.

The folk dances are mainly performed by groups, with a variety of colourful costumes. Some folk dances are only performed by female dancers, and some are performed by the females and males together and some are performed by males alone. In both classical and folk dances, beautiful, graceful movements, stands, curving and bending positions could be seen more among female dancers, than male dancers.

The contribution and the role of female dancers in the practical dance field, as well as in the dance research field, are much better than those of the male dancers.