Dance
Section B. Covers Classical dances of India; Exponents of dance; Dance terms; Texts and folk dances; Abhinaya and rasa theory; Dance institutions and festivals.
About this unit
This unit covers Indian dance as a performing art. It surveys the classical dance forms named in the syllabus (Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya): their region, history, repertoire, music, costume and make-up, and the artists who shaped them. It then explains the basic theory shared by all of them, from the distinction between nritta, nritya and natya to the four kinds of abhinaya and the rasa theory of the Natya Shastra, and introduces the key texts, major folk dances, gharanas, institutions and festivals.
How to prepare
Make a comparison sheet for the eight forms: state, origin, important repertoire items, music and instruments, costume or make-up, and leading exponents. Memorise the four types of abhinaya, the nine rasas with their sthayi bhavas, and the definitions of nritta, nritya and natya. Link each text and institution with its author or founder. Expect matching and identification questions.
Topics in this chapter
Classical dances of India
History, repertoire, music, costume and make-up of Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya.
5 questionsExponents of dance
Life sketches of leading dancers and contributors.
5 questionsDance terms
Natya, nritta, nritya, tandav, lasya, lokdharmi and natyadharmi.
5 questionsTexts and folk dances
Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpan, Abhinaya Chandrika, Hasta Lakshana Deepika and major folk dances.
5 questionsAbhinaya and rasa theory
Angika, vachika, aharya and satvika abhinaya; navarasa, bhava, vibhava, anubhava and sanchari bhava.
5 questionsDance institutions and festivals
Gharanas, institutions, university departments and major festivals.
5 questions