HYDERABAD: The clinking ghungroos, the jingling bangles, the glittering jewellery, the picturesque makeup, the classy saree, the elegant movements, the tapping of feet, the twists and turns, the jumps and rolls — all to the rhythm of a mesmerising piece of music—it’s an enchanting world of dance.
Manjula Ramaswamy, recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, states, “Dance in Indian festivals becomes a beautiful confluence of spiritual devotion, artistic expression, and a celebration of shared heritage. It’s a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of India.” Dance is an intrinsic part of Indian celebrations, especially during the festive seasons. It is rooted in every culture across diverse India.
These classical dances, having originated from temples and their rituals, continue to be integral parts of temple ceremonies. Renowned Kathak artist Sanjay Kumar Joshi shares, “There were special dances performed at festivals, suited to the occasion. It was for the gathering of the people, fostering understanding between them.” Apart from being a religious practice, dance recitals were also aimed at building community bonds.
The customs and traditions of performing dance for religious purposes date back to the Indus Valley Civilisation and beyond. It began with spontaneous movements accompanied by natural, unique music or folk styles of offerings. Over time, this evolved into the present-day classical dances. Adding to this, Manjula says, “Natyashastra, for instance, elucidates various dance forms, theatrical aspects, and the significance of dance in various rituals.”
In parallel, Dr Vanaja Uday, Head of the Department of Dance at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, expresses, “You find mentions of dance in the Puranas and the Vedas. Bharata’s Natyashastra, the Panchama Veda, encompasses all four Vedas — the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.” Classical dances of India stand as a beautiful testament to the enduring power of tradition and artistic expression in Indian culture.
Regarding the future of these classical dance forms, Manjula opines that it will likely blend tradition and adaptation, influenced by generational shifts and contemporary trends. With the emergence of innovation, technology, and contemporary shifts, Indian classical dance forms are bound to undergo transformation. Evolution is inevitable.
Anything that doesn’t evolve or change is lifeless. As generations pass, new experiences emerge, influencing the course of these dance forms.
The enthusiasm for classical dances isn’t confined to India alone but resonates globally. Parents and youngsters worldwide are increasingly drawn to classical Indian art forms. The number of artistes is multiplying. Dr Vanaja Uday remarks, “Even in other countries, parents want their children not to be detached from our Indian culture. So, they encourage their children to learn some form of art connected to our Indian culture.” She further notes that children are not only learning these dance forms but also aspiring to pursue them professionally.