ART AND CULTURE 2021

Table Of Content

Titles Page No

Classical Dance Of India ................................................................................................................... 1

Bharatanatyam- Tamil Nadu ............................................................................................................ 1

Kuchipudi ............................................................................................................................................1

Kathakali ............................................................................................................................................. 2

Kathak ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Odissi .........................................................................................................................................3

Sattriya ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Manipuri ....................................................................................................................................4

Mohiniyattam ............................................................................................................................5

Kalbella _ Rajasthan ...................................................................................................................... 10

Music In India .................................................................................................................................. 11

Hindustani Music ............................................................................................................................ 12

Carnatic Music ................................................................................................................................. 14

Folk Music ........................................................................................................................................ 16

Music Instruments Of India ........................................................................................................... 16

Martial Arts In India ...................................................................................................................... 18

Kalarippayattu ........................................................................................................................ 18

Silambam ................................................................................................................................ 18

Gatka ....................................................................................................................................... 19

Musti Yuddha .................................................................................................................................. 19

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Table Of Content

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Thang Ta ............................................................................................................................... 19

Mardani Khel ................................................................................................................................. 19

Pari-Khanda ......................................................................................................................... 19

Kathi Samu .......................................................................................................................... 19

Theatre From Of India .................................................................................................................. 19

Bhand Pather(Jashin) - Kashmir ......................................................................................... 20

Swang - Haryana .......................................................................................................................... 20

Nautanki - Uttar Pradesh .............................................................................................................20

Raasleela ............................................................................................................................... 20

Bhavai - Gujarat ................................................................................................................... 20

Jatra - Bengal ....................................................................................................................... 20

Bhaona (Ankia naat) - Assam ..................................................................................................... 20

Koodiyaattam - Kerala ......................................................................................................... 22

Yakshagaana - Karnataka ..................................................................................................... 22

Therukoothu - Tamil Nadu .................................................................................................. 22

Karyala- Himachal pradesh ................................................................................................. 22

Puppet Forms Of India ........................................................................................................ 22

String Puppets ...............................................................................................................................23

Glove Puppets ................................................................................................................................ 23

Rod Puppets .................................................................................................................................. 24

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Table Of Content

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Shadow Puppet .............................................................................................................................. 25

Institutions Related To Performing Arts In India .................................................................... 25

Sahitya Akademi ................................................................................................................... 25

Sangeet Natak Academy .......................................................................................................25

Lalit Kala Akademi .............................................................................................................. 26

Centre for Cultural Resources & Training ........................................................................... 26

Arts, Crafts, Music Monuments In States .................................................................................. 26

Indian Architecture .............................................................................................................. 35

 ART AND CULTURE 2021
• In modern era, credit of
CLASSICAL DANCE OF reviving Bharatnatyam goes to
INDIA E. Krishna Iyer; while Rukmi
Devi Arundale gave it the
This classification depends on the global recognition.
source. The Sangeet Natak Akademi • Tanjor Quartet defined the
recognizes eight – Bharatanatyam, elements of a Bharatnatyam
Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, recital as 1. Alarippu, 2.)
Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam. Jatiswaram, 3.) Shabdam,
The Culture Ministry of the Government 4.)Varnam, 5. Padam, 6.)
of India includes Chhau in its classical Jawali, 7.) Thilana
list. We will use Sangeet Natak • The four Thanjavur teachers,
academy’s list and deal with chhau in known as the Tanjor Quartet
Folk dances of India are Chiniah, Ponniah,
BHARATNATYAM Vadivelu and Shivanandam
• In the thirties of the twentieth
• One of the most ancient forms century, Rukmini Devi
of dance art is Bharatnatyam, Arundale, a champion of
with its origins in an Bharatnatyam, brought about
unbounded faith in God. The radical changes in the
dance flourished in Tamil costumes of the dancers
Nadu, but its influence is not • Kataka mukha hasta is one of
limited to that state. the principal mudras of
• Bharatnatyam derives its Bharatnatyam
name from Bharata Muni and • Apart from Tanjor Quartet,
‘natyam’ means dance in other famous proponents of
Tamil. Bharatnatyam were/are:
• The style was kept alive by the Yamini Krishnamurthy,
devadasis, who were young Padma Subramaniam,
girls 'gifted' by their parents to Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika
the temples and who were Sarabhai.
married to the gods.
KUCHIPUDI
• Devadasis performed music
and dance as offerings to the • Kuchipudi derives its name
deities, in the temple from the Andhra village of
courtyards. Kusselavapuri or
• As a solo dance, Kuchelapuram
Bharatnatyam leans heavily • Kuchipudi matured into an
on the abhinaya or mime independent dance form
aspect of dance - the nritya, during the days of the Bhakti
where the dancer expresses movements, when it started
the sahitya through depicting Krishna’s life
movement and mime through music and drama

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
• The Kuchipudi dance consists KATHAKALI
of a few divisions such as
Adavus, Jatis, Jatiswaras, • A mixture of Dravidian and Aryan
Tirmanas and Tilanas. These dance concepts, Kathakali is the
features are also found in classical dance of Kerala
Bharatnatyam, but what • The Nairs of Kerala, who
makes Kuchipudi unique is formed a warrior caste, practiced
Karnnakole is not to be found martial dances in order to
in any other southern dance perpetuate in society the memory
style. of their racial equalities.
• Karnnakole is the superb, • Malayalam, with many Sanskrit
quick and rhythmic footwork words, became the language of
of the dancer. the Kathkali songs.
• Modern form of Kuchipudi • Kathkali is dance-drama and not
gives more prominence to solo drama bacause the actors do not
items speak their lines. The dramatic
• The dance also expresses itself story is carried forward through a
through padas, varnas, highly evolved vocabulary of body
shabdas and slokas movements, and gestures and eye
• In twentieth century, movements.
Balasarswati and Ragini Devi • Most Kathkali recitals are a grand
revived Kuchipudi dance, representation of the eternal
when the traditional male conflict between good and evil.
bastion became popular with • Different colours are used in
female dancers as well. Kathkali dance for different
• Stories of Bhagwata purana purposes: green indicates
form the basis of most of the nobility, divinity and virtue; red
Kuchipudi recitals. patches beside the nose indicate
• In Kuchipudi, there is a royalty; black colour is used to
predominance of Shringaar indicate evil and wickedness
ras. • Famous proponents: Guru
• Both Lasya and Tandava Kunchu Kurup, Gopi Nath, Rita
elements are important in the Ganguly
Kuchipudi dance form
KATHAK
• Famous Proponents of
Kuchipudi: Radha Reddy, • Tracing its origins from the
Raja Reddy, Yamini Ras Leela of Brajbhoomi,
Krishnamurthy, Indrani Kathak is the traditional
Rehman dance form of Uttar Pradesh.
• Kathak derived its name from
the ‘kathika’ or the story-
tellers who recited verses from

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
the epics, with gestures and Maharaj established Kathak as a dance
music. art of great merit.
• During the Mughal era,
ODISSI
Kathak incorporated some
secular features so as not to • Archaeological evidence of this
offend Muslims; thus Kathak dance form dating back to the 2nd
incorporated into itself certain century B.C. is found in the caves of
Islamic features notably in its Udayagiri and Khandagiri near
costumes. Bhubaneshwar.
Features • With Hinduism taking roots in
Orissa by about the 7th century A.D.,
• Intricate footwork.
many imposing temples were erected.
• Usage of facial expressions &
The Sun Temple at Konarak, built in the
hastas.
13TH century, with its Natya mandap or
• No bending of knees unlike
Hall of dance, marks the culmination of
Bharatnatayam.
the temple building activity in Orissa.
• Indian and Persian costumes.
These dance movements, frozen in
Format stone, continue to inspire Odissi dancers
even today.
- Ganesh vandana.
- Aamad (dancer enters stage • The maharis, who were originally
with its item). temple dancers came to be employed in
- Thaat (soft & varied royal courts which resulted in the
movements). degeneration of the art form. Around
- Gat Nikaas (brief outlines of this time, a class of boys called gotipuas
mytho stories). were trained in the art, they danced in
- Pradhant (recitation of the temples and also for general
complicated bols & entertainment. Many of today's gurus of
demonstration). this style belong to the gotipua tradition.
- Tatkar (conclusion-intricate
• Facial expressions, hand gestures
footwork & complex).
and body movements are used to
• The classical style of Kathak was suggest a certain feeling, an emotion or
revived by Lady Leela Sokhey in the one of the nine rasas.
twentieth century. Since Kathak is
• The techniques of movement are
based on Hindustani style of music, it
built around the two basic postures of
also branched off to different gharanas:
the Chowk (above) and the Tribhanga
Lucknow,Jaipur, Raigarh, Banaras
(left). The chowk is a position imitating
• The fame of Kathak spread far a square - a very masculine stance with
and wide as the dance was performed at the weight of the body equally balanced.
different places. Gurus like Lachhu The tribhanga is a very feminine stance
Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj and Birju where the body is deflected at the neck,
torso and the knees.

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021

• With the lower half of the body • Sankaradeva included Vyah Goa
remaining static, the torso moves from Ojah into his daily rituals in Sattra. Till
one side to the other along the axis now Vyah Goa Ojah is a part of rituals of
passing through the centre of the upper the Sattras of Assam. The dancers in a
half of the body. Great training is Oja paali chorus not only sing and dance
required for this control so as to avoid but also explain the narration by
any shoulder or hip movement. gestures and stylized movements.
• There are certain foot positions • As far as Devadasi dance is
with flat, toe or heel contact. These are concerned, resemblance of a good
used in a variety of intricate number of rhythmic syllables and dance
combinations. postures along with footwork with
Sattriya dance is a clear indication of the
• Almost all leg movements are
influence of the former on the latter.
spiral/circular
• Other visible influences on
SATTRIYA
Sattriya dance are those from Assamese
• It is introduced in the 15th folk dances namely Bihu, Bodos etc.
century A.D by the great Vaishnava saint
• Sattriya dance tradition is
and reformer of Assam, Mahapurusha
governed by strictly laid down
Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for
principles in respect of hastamudras,
propagation of the Vaishnava faith.
footworks, aharyas, music etc
• This neo-Vaishnava treasure of
MANIPURI
Assamese dance and drama has been,
for centuries, nurtured and preserved Thang – Ta (Martial Art)
with great commitment by the
• Because of its geographical
Sattras (Vaishnava
location, the people of Manipur have
maths/monasteries). Because of its
been protected from outside influences,
religious character & association with
and this region has been able to retain
the Sattras, it has been aptly named
its unique traditional culture.
Sattriya.
• Lai Haraoba (merrymaking of the
• There were two dance forms
gods) is one of the main festivals still
prevalent in Assam before the neo-
performed in Manipur which has its
Vaishnava movement such as Ojapali
roots in the pre-Vaishnavite period. The
and Devadasi with many classical
principal performers are the maibas and
elements.
maibis (priests and priestesses) who re-
• Two varieties of Ojapali still enact the theme of the creation of the
prevalent in Assam: world.
1. Sukananni/ Maroi Goa Ojah- • With the arrival of Vaishnavism
Shakti Cult. in the 15th century A.D., new
compositions based on episodes from
2. Vyah Goa Ojah - Vaishnava Cult.
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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
the life of Radha and Krishna were throated rendering with particular type
gradually introduced. of trills and modulations.
• Manipur dance has a large • The main musical instrument is
repertoire; however, the most popular the Pung or the Manipuri classical
forms are the Ras, the Sankirtana and drum.
the Thang-Ta.
MOHINIYATTAM
• There are five principal Ras
• Mohiniyattam literally
dances of which four are linked with
interpreted as the dance of ‘Mohini’, the
specific seasons, while the fifth can be
celestial enchantress of the Hindu
presented at any time of the year. In
mythology, is the classical solo dance
Manipuri Ras, the main characters are
form of Kerala.
Radha, Krishna and the gopis.
• Literally meaning the Dance of
• A short fine white muslin skirt is
the Enchantress, it is deeply rooted in
worn over it. A dark coloured velvet
femininity, GRACE (Lasya) and
blouse covers the upper part of the body
BEAUTY (Sringara) forming the
and a traditional white veil is worn over
quintessence of this dance form.
a special hair-do which falls gracefully
over the face. Krishna wears a yellow • Of all the classical South Indian
dhoti, a dark velvet jacket and a crown styles, Mohiniyattam can be singled out
of peacock feathers. with admirable distinction, for its
characteristic body movements, marked
• The Kirtan form of
by the graceful sway of the torso.
congregational singing accompanies the
dance which is known as Sankirtana in • What is unique is the easy going
Manipur. The male dancers play the rise and fall of the body, with emphasis
Pung and Kartal while dancing. The mainly on the torso. The movements are
masculine aspect of dance - the Choloms never abrupt, but dignified, easy,
are a part of the Sankirtana tradition. natural, restrained and yet subtle. The
The Pung and Kartal choloms are glances, postures, gait employed are so
performed at all social and religious subtle and graceful that they convey the
festivals. infinite suggestiveness of radiant love.
• The martial dancers of Manipur - • The traditional costume worn in
the Thang-ta - have their origins in the Mohiniyattam is white with a gold
days when man's survival depended on border, and gold ornaments are worn.
his ability to defend himself from wild
animals. • The unique coiffure with hair
gathered on the left side of the head
• The Manipuri classical style of reflects its aesthetic appeal, making it
singing is called Nat - very different distinct from the other dance forms of
from both north and south Indian India.
music, this style is immediately
recognizable with its high pitched open

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
• The regional system of music that GAUR MADIA – CHHATTISGARH
Mohiniyattam follows is the SOPANA
Special feature
style which in its lyricism is evocative of
the spiritual element. Basically performed on the
occasion of marriage by Gaur Madia of
Abhujmar plateau of Bastar in
1. Name of the Dance, Chhattisgarh and is called Gaur after
2. Area Bison. It may appear to be a hunt-dance
3. And its Special feature with only the imitation of the frisking,
jerking movements of the animals.
MATHURI (KOPPU) - ANDHRA
However, a sense of ritual and deep
PRADESH
sanctity underlies the perfect
Special feature synchronization of the dance.
This dance is performed by the CHHOLIYA - UTTARAKHAND
inhabitants of the Umji and Indravelli
Special feature
forest areas of Utnoor Tehsil in Adilabad
district of Andhra Pradesh. It is Prevalent in the Kumaun region
traditionally performed during Krishna of Uttarakhand, the Chholiya dance has
Janmashtami celebrations and the elements of martial craft and is
themes are taken from the associated with the Kirji Kumbh
Mahabharata. Though both men and celebrations; Kirji Kumbh is a poisonous
women perform this dance, the pace is flower which blossoms every 12 years.
different. Women dance in slow Villagers march in a procession to
rhythmic movements, while the men destroy the flower before it sheds its
dance at a more vigorous space. The poison into the mountain streams.
Nagara is the main instrument used.
GARBA – GUJARAT
BIHU - ASSAM
Special feature
Special feature
Garba is one of the most popular
Bihu is one of the most colourful folk dance form of Gujarat, which is linked
dances of India. The dance is an integral with the worship of “Shakti”. The word
part of the Bihu Festival celebrated to “Garbo” has originated from Sanskrit
mark the advent of Spring and the word “Garbhdeep”, an earthen pot with
Assamese New Year. Bihu ushers in the circular holes is popularly known as
sowing time and also the season of “Garbo”. The pot is the symbol of the
marriage. he dance has been noted for body and the lighted lamp inside the pot
maintaining authenticity and at the signifies the divine soul. Garba is
same time displaying the traditional performed during Navratri and during
Assamese handlooms and handicrafts in weddings. It is essentially performed by
their glory and beauty by the dancers. women, dancing in circular motion
clapping their hands to the beats of the
Dhol.

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
DAANG – GUJARAT KINNAURI NATTI - HIMACHAL
PRADESH
Special feature
Special feature
Daangis hail from South Gujarat
on the border of Maharashtra. This This dance is in the veins of the
dance is usually performed during Holi Kinnauris. Their movement of the
and other festivals. Daang dance centers natural world around them and their
around the social life, feasts, fairs, music echoes the sound of the breeze
festivals, ceremonies and rituals blowing through forests. Important
connected to worship. It is vigorous, as amongst the dances of the Kinauris is
most tribal dances are, and highly LOSAR SHONA CHUKSAM. It takes its
rhythmic. Interesting circular formation name from LOSAI meaning new year.
is created centering around the The dancers recreate movements of all
accompanists who stand in the middle the agricultural operations of sowing
of an open space. The men hold their and reaping ogla (barley) and phaphar
arms round the women’s shoulders and (a local grain). Slow movements with
women clasp the men by their waists. soft knee dips with accentuation of torso
The dance builds up gradually and are the key step of this dance.
acquires a fast tempo in the end. The
PAIKA - JHARKHAND
women climb on the shoulders of men
and form a human pyramid. The two Special feature
and three tier formation moves
clockwise and anti clockwise. ‘Paika’ is a typical dance of the Munda
community of Jharkhand, and
GHOOMAR - Rajasthan and thematically represents rituals
Haryana connected with preparations for war.
With chest blades, multi-coloured
Special feature
headgear, anklets, bows, arrows, spears,
Ghoomar is a dance performed by the swords and shields the dancers enact
girls of border areas of Rajasthan and battle scenes, symbolizing the great war
Haryana at various festivals like Holi, of the Mundas against the British. The
Gangaur Puja and Teej. The girls form fast beat of the madal, along with the
semi-circles and start singing and use of other musical instruments like
clapping.The dancers then form a circle dhol, nagara, shehnai, and ranbheri
and the tempo of the dance is make Paika dance performaces truly
accelerated. The movements are made captivating. Though performed on
by holding body weight on one foot and various occasions, the Paika dance is
moving forward. As the tempo increases most readily associated with the
towards the end, the dancers whirl Dussehra celebrations.
around in pairs. The accompanying
songs are full of satire and humour and
refer to contemporary events.

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 ART AND CULTURE 2021
ROUF - JAMMU & KASHMIR accompaniment of the Damien-a
stringed guitar-like instrument and
Special feature
flute.
Rouf is the most popular dance in
VEERBHADRA - KARNATAKA
the Kashmir Valley and is performed by
the women folk. The dance is performed Special feature
during harvesting season but the most
The exotic cultural tradition of
essential occasion is the month of
Veerbhadra was brought to Karnataka
Ramzan when every street and corner in
by the South Indian rulers. This ritual is
Kashmir resounds with the Rouf songs
equally popular in some parts of
and dance.
Karnataka. Veerbhadra is performed on
The girls wear colourful Phirans- Chaitra Purnima and the Dhalo festival.
Kashmir cloaks and Kasaba-the head The person enacting the role of
gear. The girls form two rows facing Veerbhadra is dressed in a warrior’s
each other and putting their arms costume. He wields swords as he dances.
around the waist of the next dancer. According to legend, Veerbhadra is
They start with rhythmic movements of supposed to get possessed by a divine
the feet and weave a few patterns spirit. The invocation of Veerbhadra is
swaying and swinging backward. recited in Kannada even today.
Traditionally, no musical
OPPANA - KERALA
accompaniment is used with Rouff
songs as they are sung while doing the Special feature
daily chores. The folk instruments like
noot, tumbaknari, rabab etc are used This is a bridal dance performed by
when it is performed on the stage or in Muslim girls of North Kerala and
some gathering. Lakshadweep on wedding occasions.
There are separate dancers for the bride
JABRO - JAMMU & KASHMIR and bridegroom. Brides and grooms are
mentally prepared for marriage and
Special feature
the nuptial night by their close friend
Jabro is a community dance of the through a sequence of dance and music.
nomadic people of Tibetan origin living This is an occasion of great celebration
in Ladakh. Jabro is performed by both and merriment and all arrive attired in
men and women during Losar- the gorgeous costumes.
Tibetan new year celebrations- and also
PURULIA CHHAU –
on other festive occasions. Because of
the extreme cold, the dancers wear Special feature
heavy gowns made of sheep skin, lamb
skin caps and long leather shoes. WEST BENGAL Chhau dance of
Performers stand in two facing rows, Purulia in West Bengal is one of the
holding each other’s hands, and dance most vibrant and colourful folk art
gracefully with slow, gentle movements forms. Emanating from martial practice,
as Jabro songs are sung to the Purulia Chhau is a vigorous form of

8
 ART AND CULTURE 2021
dance-drama drawing its themes from regarding the choice of themes for a
the two great Indian epics, Ramayana Lavani performance, this art form is at
and Mahabharata. Masks and elaborate its best when dealing with themes of
head gears are the ornamental apparels bravery, pathos, love and devotion,
of the Chhau dancers. The dance Music, poetry, dance and drama
commences with an invocation of Lord intermingle with such perfection in the
Ganesha before movements begin as per rendering of Lavani, that it is almost
the story. In Chhau dance, the fight impossible to separate their various
between good and evil always components
culminates in the triumph of good over
DHOL CHOLOM - MANIPUR
destructive evil. Powerful movements,
immense concentration, the dazzling Special feature
costumes, the rhythmic drum beating
and the shehnai characterize the Chhau ‘Dhol Cholom’, traditional folk
dance form. This dance is popular in dance of Manipur, is performed usually
Jharkhand also. on religious occasions to the
accompaniment of songs and dhol (large
BADHAI - MADHYA PRADESH drum)-the most important component
of this dance form. Usually performed
Special feature
during the Yaoshand festival (or the
A typical folk dance of Madhya festival of colours), the dance expresses
Pradesh, Badhai is performed to thank love and creativity, with an intricate
Goddess Sheetala for safeguarding interplay of dhols and fireplay. Dhol
people from natural calamities and Cholom belongs to the Manipur
ailments and to seek her blessings on sankirtan traditions.
happy occasions like weddings and
LEWATANA - MEGHALAYA
childbirth. Accompanied by folk musical
instruments, the performers dance Special feature
gracefully to a rhythm, creating a lively
and a colourful spectacle. This particular Lewatana is a folk song
rhythm is known as Badhai from which and dance of Hajong tribe of Meghalaya.
this folk dance has acquired its name. Hajongs observe various festivities of
Animals also take part in Badhai Nritya the Hindus. The Lewatana is usually
and in many villages, mares (female performed by the Hajong during the
horses) are seen at such performances. Diwali festival. In this dance, the young
men and women form a group and while
LAVANI – MAHARASHTRA dancing and singing various folk songs,
they compare man with nature.
Special feature
Traditionally an integral part
of the Tamasha folk theatre of
Maharashtra, Lavani is the most popular
and best known folk dance form of the
state. Although, there is no restriction

9
 ART AND CULTURE 2021
GOTIPUA – ODISHA GIDDHA - PUNJAB
Special feature Special feature
Gotipuas, the young boys Giddha is the favourite dance of Punjab
dressed up as girls sing devotional love in which women dance at weddings, at
songs of Radha-Krishna and perform the time of birth of a child, the Teej
Gotipua dance. In the present form, the festival and other happy occasions. The
Gotipua dance is more precise and dance consists of singing, clapping,
systematic in its conception. The enacting the Boli as well as pure dance.
repertoire of the dance includes The dancers form a circle and
vandana-prayer to God or Guru, participating in pairs, take turns to come
sarigama-a pure dance number, centre stage and perform a Boli.
abhinaya-enactment of a song, and Towards the end of the Boli they dance
Bandhya Nritya-rhythms of acrobatic vigorously in sheer abandon, while those
postures, a unique presentation in the circle sing and clap in unison. The
refrain is sung 3-4 times, and then the
where Gotipuas dance and compose
performers withdraw to be replaced by
themselves in different acrobatic yogic
another pair and a new Boli. The Boli
postures creating the images of Radha-
deals with the day–to–day life situations
Krishna. Musical accompaniment is
of rural folk. Giddha is accompanied by
provided by mardala-a pakhawaj, gini-
the dholak (drum) or gharah (earthen
small cymbals, harmonium, violin and
pot).
flute.
KALBELIA – RAJASTHAN
BHANGRA - PUNJAB
This fascinating dance is
Special feature
performed by the women of the nomadic
Bhangra is the most popular folk dance Kalbelia community whose primary
of Punjab, performed by men on festive occupation is rearing snakes and trading
occasions, at weddings and fairs and to in snake venom. On festive occasions, as
celebrate Baisakhi or the harvest traditional songs are sung to the
festival. Dressed in brightly coloured plaintive notes of the ‘been’ and the ‘daf’,
plumed turbans, traditional tehmats, the dancers belonging to the ‘Nath’ sect
kurtas and waistcoats, the dancers dressed in their traditional black
perform to the robust rhythms of dhols, swirling skirts perform this dance. The
bolis-typically rustic Punjabi folk songs dance highlights the unparalleled
and other traditional instruments. virtuosity of the dancers often
Energetic and infectiously lively, reminiscent of the graceful and supple
Bhangra is a spectacular dance, the movements of the snake.
popularity of which has crossed the
TAMANG SELO - SIKKIM
borders of Punjab.
Tamang Selo is a Sikkimese folk
dance of the Tamang community. It is
also known as Damphu as it is

10
 ART AND CULTURE 2021
performed to the accompaniment of a •Sarangdeva, a 13TH century
native musical instrument called musicologists wrote the classic text on
damphu. Usually performed during music, the Sangeet Ratnakara. Sangeet
Dasain or Dussehra, it depicts the Ratnakara identified and described the
colourful lifestyle of the hill people, various microtones and classified them
amply reflected through their lavish into different categories.
festive celebration and dances full of fun
•Matanga’s Brihaddeshi focussed on the
and vigour. Tamang Selo is performed
definition of the word ‘raga’
by traditionally attired young men and
women. •Sangeeta Makaranda, composed by
Nanda, enumerated 93 ragas and
KARAKATTAM - TAMIL NADU
classified them into feminine and
Special feature masculine forms.
A folk dance of Tamil Nadu, •Another important book on
Kadagam originated as a ritual musicology was Chaturdandi -
dedicated to the worship of Mariamman, prakssika. This 17 century book
th

the Goddess of rain and health. The was written by Venkatamakhi.

ritual is performed during the month of
•Swaramela-Kalanidhi was written by
August when the idol of Mariamman is
Ramamatya in the 16Th century.
carried in procession. A ritual pot filled
with water is adorned with beautiful •The seven notes that form the basic
decorations, several feet high, and is scale in music aresa (sadja), re (rsabha),
carried by the priest. The colourfully ga (gandhara), ma (madhyama), pa
attired performers carry decorated (panchama), dha (dhaivata) and ni
vessels vertically on their heads and (nisada).
dance to the tune of nagaswaram, thavil,
muni, udukkai and pambai and also •Besides the scale, there is the basic
perform acrobatic feats as they follow classification of the ragas (the tunes),
the procession. The Kadagam dance is which is a series of five or more notes
very popular in Tamil Nadu, that create a perfect melody. There are
Puducherry, Karnataka and Andhra six basic ragas: Bhairava, Kaushika,
Pradesh. Deepaka, Hindola, Sriraga and Megha.
•Others are known as raginis
(the wives of the ragas which
MUSIC IN INDIA are known as masculine). The
ragas are classified depending on the
• The first work that clarified and
particular time of the day or the night
elaborated on the subject of
when they are used.
musicology was Bharata’s
Natyashastra.The book identified 22 •The tala (rhythm) is an essential system
keys related to the octave, these 22 keys in the line of melody.
were later known as shrutis or srutis.

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•According to the number of notes in essentially a poetic form incorporated
the raga, Raga could be classified into an extended presentation style
into three main categories: Audav/ marked by precise and orderly
Odava Raga, Shadava Raga, Sampurna elaboration of a raga. The exposition
Raga. preceding the composed verses is
called alap, and is usually the longest
•Raga Bhed or Raga has three types,
portion of the performance. Dhrupad is
namely Shudha Raag, Chayalag Raag,
in decline since the 18Th century.
Sankeerna Raag.
KHAYAL
•Shuddha Raag’s nature and form does
not change; Chhayalag Raag’s nature o Khayal literally means ‘a stray
and form changes while Sankeerna Raag thought’, ‘a lyric’ and 'an imagination'.
is a combination of two or more ragas.
o This is the most prominent genre
•Audav Raga is the of Hindustani vocal music depicting a
‘pentatonic’ raga, which contains five romantic style of singing. Khayal is
notes; Shadava Raga is the dependent to a large extent on the
‘hexatonic’ raga, which contains 6 imagination of the performer and the
notes, while ‘Sampurna Raga’ is a improvisations he is able to incorporate.
‘heptatonic’ raga which contains seven A Khayal is also composed in a
notes. particular raga and tala and has a brief
text. The Khayal texts range from praise
• It is believed to have more than
of kings or seasons, description of
hundred talas, but only thirty talas are
seasons to the pranks of Lord Krishna,
currently known, and even within that
divine love and sorrow of separation.
only 10 to 12 talas are actually used.
o There are six main gharanas in
•Different kinds of recognised and used
khayal: Delhi, Patiala, Agra, Gwalior,
talas are dadra, rupak, ektal, jhaptal,
Kirana and Atrauli-Jaipur. Gwalior
teen-tal and Adha-chautal.
Gharana is the oldest and is also
Indian Music is further classified in considered the mother of all other
Hindustani, Carnatic and Regional gharanas.
Music.
THUMRI
o Thumri originated in the Eastern
HINDUSTANI MUSIC part of Uttar Pradesh, mainly in
Lucknow and Benares, around the 18Th
There are 10 main forms of styles of century AD
singing and compositions:
o It is believed to have been
DHRUPAD influenced by hori, kajri and dadra.
o Dhrupad is the oldest and Thumri is supposed to be a romantic
perhaps the grandest form of and erotic style of singing and is also
Hindustani vocal music. Dhrupad is called “the lyric of Indian classical

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