Indian dance origins: over 5000 years old, originally a spiritual practice to fill the soul. Explore its sacred roots, emotional expression, and evolution.
The origin of Indian dance is fascinating. First, it's over 5000 years old. Second, it was originally seen as a way to fill the soul with holy spirit.
Most dances focus on body plasticity and creative expression. Indian dance, however, aims to develop aesthetic sense and mind, expressing emotions through body movements, facial expressions, and singing.
Ancient mythology describes the dance's creation by the god Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva could create the world from chaos and also destroy it. Initially, dance was considered divine and sacred, and only later was it allowed to be shown to ordinary people. In India, dance is part of religion, so Shiva is revered as the god of dance.
Passing down knowledge is always hard work. To simplify this, a special treatise was written containing detailed descriptions of every head movement, hand gestures, finger positions, wrist movements, footwork, body movements, and even eye expressions. The treatise includes 36 different gazes with full descriptions. Could you come up with that many gazes and then describe them so others could understand?
In Indian dance, facial expressions are extremely important. Eyebrow movements and gazes are key to fully convey inner energy and create a complete character. It is believed that someone who fully knows their body and emotions can help others.
Interestingly, Indian dance used to be performed only by women; men were forbidden. Today, the situation has changed slightly, but most dancers are still women.
Originally, dance was a form of prayer performed in special altars as an offering. Do you know any dance that was used as prayer?
Later, some styles emerged that resembled yoga. This practice helped cleanse the soul and mind of negative accumulations and free oneself from guilt and shame for sins. Dance helped relax and recharge.
Even later, dance evolved into the familiar form of entertainment. Indian dance was considered entertainment for the wealthy, and such dance shows were held at feasts.
Indian dance lost its original meaning and was forgotten for two hundred years. But thanks to the desire to connect with beauty, people revived the culture of Indian dance, sparking the development of new styles.
The centuries-old experience was captured in the treatise mentioned earlier. It states that dance is performed in two manners: an energetic and active manner characteristic of male performance, and a tender and graceful manner for female performance. The treatise also describes nine moods and fifty emotions!
Indian dance itself has three phases: Nritta, Natya, and Nritya.
- Nritta is a dance composition without any emotions.
- Natya is the language of gestures, acting, and embedded emotions.
- Nritya is a complete story combining sequential movements with added emotions.
The most experienced Indian dance performers are those who can show sincere emotions to the audience. If a dancer can cry, laugh, or experience trembling in voice or body, they are considered fully immersed in the role and truly experiencing it.
Indian dances are the most captivating dances; it's no wonder they have existed for millennia and will continue to delight modern audiences!
The GoDance team crafts articles about dance, technique and inspiring stories from dancers.
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