Classical Dance

Displaying 1 - 10 of 14
Madhulika Srivatsa
She is also a research scholar and runs a dance institute called Trishna. She currently serves as the Head of the Dance Department at Telugu University. Following is an edited interview with Dr Alekhya Punjala on the learning and teaching process of Kuchipudi. The interview was conducted…
in Interview
Dr Nilakshi Goswami
Ritualistic worship is a vital part of Indian classical dance and music. The over-600-year-old Sattriya traditions and ritualistic practices associated with medieval Vaishnavite monasteries, or sattras, are integral to the cultural heritage of Assam. They mirror the traditional idioms of the land…
in Overview
Dr Nilakshi Goswami
Assamese reformers Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva occupy a significant position in the 15th- and 16th-century socioreligious history of Assam. By developing literary and performative forms like Sattriya Nritya, they led the social and cultural renaissance in medieval Assam. (Fig. 1)…
in Article
Dr Nilakshi Goswami
Prominent Sattriya dancer and choreographer Jatin Goswami has contributed greatly to the development and popularisation of Sattriya Nritya. Now 86 years old, he has, since the 1960s, worked consistently towards propagating this nascent classical dance form. In the process, he established several…
in Interview
Dr Nilakshi Goswami
Sattriya Nritya is one of the classical dance forms of India recognised by the Ministry of Culture. It finds its roots in the neo-Vaishnavite monasteries of Assam, known as sattras. Initially performed by male monks as a ritualised practice within the confines of the sattras,…
in Module
Srivani Vokkarane
The origin of the dance traditions of Andhra Pradesh can be traced through various sources, such as the sculptures and inscriptions in ancient temples, Buddhist ruins, the migrations of the Arava Dravida community and various works of literature. Before the fourteenth century, when Yakshagana…
in Article
Dr Manorama B.N.
Yakshagana in the coastal region of Karnataka is known for its sophistication, which it has achieved over many years. The classical dimensions achieved through its journey are, fascinatingly, the result of the freedom given by folk traditions, which is where it actually originated. As a component…
in Overview
Savithri Shastry
A Chikkamela troupe consists of only two or three performers and accompanying musicians who travel from house to house at night and perform scenes from Yakshagana texts. This video shows an extract of the opening puja rituals and performance by Permude Sharadamba Kripapaoshita troupe.  The…
in Video
Dr Veena Murthy Vijay
In India, dance is considered to be divine in origin. The gods and goddesses not only take great delight in dance, drama and mime but many are great dancers themselves. (Anonymous) Introduction The dance traditions of Andhra are divided into two distinct styles—the Nattuva Mela and the Natya Mela.…
in Overview
Savithri Shastry
Chikkamela means mini troupe and is a variant of Yakshagana, practised in off-seasons in Coastal Karnataka. In Chikkamela, the troupe, consisting of a couple of actors and accompanying musicians, go from house-to-house to perform select scenes from Yakshagana plays. Surendra Pai started Chikkamela…
in Interview